Collingwood premiership hero Jack Crisp has fond memories of the 2023 Grand Final win over Brisbane.
Playing against the club that drafted him, Crisp was dominant in his 208th consecutive game for Collingwood, kicking two goals to go with 25 disposals and seven marks on the biggest stage.
With the result razor close as the Magpies prevailed 90 to 86, Crisp said the feeling of elation was overwhelming at the final siren and something that he hopes to experience again.
“From having multiple conversations with people, it was just about what a great game it was, and you didn't know who was going to win until the last five seconds of the game,” Crisp said on SEN Breakfast.
“It was just so back and forth, so many unbelievable moments in the game, like where guys are kicking goals off one step from outside 50.
“You just didn't know which way it was going to go. I think after that siren went, to win by four points, in 30 degrees … everybody was absolutely exhausted out on their feet.
“That feeling, I can't quite explain it, but I really want it back. I want to do it again.”
After coming so close in 2018 before falling to West Coast by five points, Crisp – along with the likes of Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Brayden Maynard, Jordan De Goey, Jeremy Howe, Brody Mihocek, Will Hoskin-Elliott and Mason Cox – enjoyed a sweet feeling after finally rebounding from that defeat.
The 30-year-old says the few hours immediately post-game were unbelievable as the players celebrated in the rooms and on the ground with families and staff.
“That (post-match) was a pretty unbelievable feeling,” Crisp said.
“I don't know, everyone was just so happy. I think I hugged the same people about 45 times.
“Everyone was just so excited because everyone knew what it meant.
“Having been on the receiving end of a five-point loss back in 2018 … there was a number of people still at the football club that were able to get over the line and probably had that sweet feeling to it.
“That feeling was unbelievable. Everybody was talking about everybody's moments just saying how good it was.
“Everybody pretty much played their role for the day. No one was bad, everyone played really well.
“That's what we needed to get the job done.”
Coach Craig McRae spearheaded Collingwood’s premiership win and Crisp is excited about what he can build with the group having been in the job for just two seasons.
While the Magpies have climbed the mountaintop, Crisp says the group and McRae have the opinion that they’re not done yet.
“From what I’ve gathered from interviews he’s done is that we're not done yet,” Crisp said.
“This is only the start of our journey, and he (McRae) has only been in the club for a couple of years.
“We've built such a great environment and culture and trying to become a destination club.
“We feel like we've been competing really well over the last two years, and we've set a great standard for ourselves now.
“Now it's just about getting back to work, backing up, and just keep getting better every time we go into the football club.”
The two-time best and fairest winner claimed Collingwood’s best finals player for a superb September campaign in 2023.