Collingwood recruit Dan Houston has given away two crucial free kicks as Brisbane defeated the Magpies by 27 points in a classic at the MCG.

In a match that was fitting of a final, the Lions had all the answers to boost their top-two hopes with three matches left in the season.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dan Houston gives away a crucial free kick.

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While Brisbane fully deserved the victory, Houston had a night to forget.

After having just three touches in the first half, the gun defender gave away a crucial high tackle free kick to Zac Bailey in the shadows of three-quarter time.

Bailey converted to push the margin out to 19 points at the final change.

During a tense final term and the margin still hovering out 20 points, Houston was again at fault, this time tackle Logan Morris high in the pocket.

Houston was furious with the decision and argued with the umpire as he watched a replay on the big screen.

The young forward finished expertly for his sixth of the night to land the knockout blow.

Houston, a two-time All-Australian, has failed to reach those lofty heights since joining the Pies from Port Adelaide in the off-season.

Used as the primary distributor during his time at the Power, Houston is averaging under 17 disposals per game, which is well down on the 23 he had his previous three seasons.

He finished the game with just eight kicks, three of which were kick-ins, and gave away four free kicks — the most of any player on the ground.

Richmond great Jack Riewoldt raised concerns about Houston’s form ahead of finals.

“He is not the player that Collingwood thought they were going to get, that attacking half-backer that can roll up into the midfield with his damaging kick,” he said on Fox Footy.

“I don’t know if he’s there week one of the finals.

“I think they’ll play him, but I don’t know if he’s in their best 22. I’m worried about how he fits in.

“I don’t see him gelling to the style that Craig McRae wants him to play.”

Riewoldt later speculated a change in position up to the wing might be worth exploring.

While it was a nightmare night for Houston, it was the opposite for Morris as he began the first Lions player since Jonathan Brown in 2004 to kick six goals at the MCG.

Morris had terrific support from young ruck-forward Henry Smith, who slotted three first-half goals in his first game for 2025.

Smith came in to replace sore Oscar McInerney, who continues to struggle with a debilitating back injury.

Darcy Fort and Smith battled manfully against star Collingwood ruck Darcy Cameron, helping the Lions comfortably win the clearance battle 50-36.

After being towelled up by Suns stars Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson last week, premiership stars Lachie Neale (36 disposals) and Hugh McCluggage (34) were outstanding in the middle.

Brisbane were dealt a major blow to their defensive structure when they lost premiership veteran Ryan Lester to concussion at the start of the second quarter.

Trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, Collingwood powered ahead with five goals to two in the second term, including a long bomb to returning star Jordan De Goey.

But after being sidelined for three months, the Magpies opted to take it easy with their dynamic ace, subbing him out during the third quarter.

Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who has missed a month due to personal reasons, came into the game for De Goey.

Hill flew for a trademark speccy in the last quarter after Lions star Will Ashcroft inexplicably kicked across goal.

The Pies’ second term was the only period when they looked close to their best, managing just three goals after halftime in a concerning form line so close to September.

It was Collingwood’s third defeat in four matches, meaning they will finish the round off the top of the ladder, replaced by surging Adelaide.

The Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, were typically dominant early, but their influence faded as the game went on.

It was the Magpies’ first loss to the Lions since round 23, 2023, having won their previous four games against Brisbane.

- With AAP