In the week prior to the grand final, Collingwood forward Anthony Rocca was suspended during the week for an elbow to the head of Port Adelaide's Brendon Lade player during the preliminary final; Rocca had played every game of the year and kicked 45 goals, and had also been one of Collingwood's best in the previous year's grand final, and his suspension was considered a major blow to the Magpies' chances;[2] Tristen Walker took Rocca's place in the team.

[3] The build-up was further magnified due to the Brisbane's chance of being the first team since Melbourne in the 1950s to win three successive premierships.

Attention was also focussed on whether Collingwood would avenge their close loss to Brisbane in the previous year's grand final.

The Lions dominated the Magpies and led throughout the majority of the match, gaining the lead inside the first two minutes and never relinquishing it.

Two early Brisbane goals extended the margin to 25 points five minutes into the second quarter; and while Alan Didak was able to peg one back for Collingwood in the 9th minute, a flurry of four goals to Brisbane in the latter part of the quarter opened a game-winning 42 points half time lead, from which Collingwood never seriously challenged.

Brisbane went on to contest a fourth consecutive grand final in 2004, but lost that game to Port Adelaide by 40 points.