It’s the 20-year anniversary of a game not remembered fondly by Collingwood fans and players alike. But according to those involved, the club will atone for it this week.

By the end of 2003, the Magpies had risen from arguably the club’s darkest days – including when they claimed their second ever wooden spoon as part of a finals drought from 1995 to 2001 – to play in back-to-back grand finals.

But they had no silverware to show for it after consecutive losses to the powerhouse Brisbane Lions on that final Saturday in September in a pair of iconic deciders.

Some say that Collingwood side peaked at the wrong time in AFL history given it came during a golden era for the star-studded Lions, who won three-straight flags and lost another grand final that denied them a four-peat. Others think then Magpies coach Mick Malthouse squeezed every bit out of a side that wasn’t necessarily supremely talented.

What’s more, both Collingwood’s 2002 and 2003 lists ranked among the least experienced in the AFL in those respective seasons, but had great leaders at the top with the likes of Nathan Buckley, Scott Burns, Anthony Rocca, James Clement and Paul Licuria.

An intriguing element is that, in 2002, the Pies got considerably closer in a year they came from the clouds. Finishing fourth and snapping an eight-year finals drought, Collingwood in the post-season stunned minor premier Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, then convincingly beat the Crows en route to its first grand final since 1990, only to narrowly fall to Brisbane by nine points.

Then in 2003, the second-placed and more hardened Magpies – albeit less experienced around the edges – went into the rematch as favourites with added momentum after they’d earlier in the finals series defeated Brisbane, and for a second-straight year, also took down minor premier Port – this time by 44 points.

But Malthouse’s side got blown off the park by the Lions in a 50-point whitewash – a game star forward Anthony Rocca infamously missed due to a suspension from the previous week – in a more comprehensive repeat of what took place the previous year.

It’s therefore poetic that Collingwood and Brisbane play off yet again in a grand final 20 years on while both clubs are flourishing afresh.

And all 14 members from that 2003 Magpies side contacted by Foxfooty.com.au this weektipped their former club to get one back on the Lions, whose dynasty team ironically included current Collingwood coach Craig McRae and senior assistant Justin Leppitsch.

Seven of them have backed Jordan De Goey to continue where he left off from last week’s dominant preliminary performance over GWS and take out the Norm Smith Medal.

Twenty years on, here are the reflections from 14 members from Collingwood’s 2003 Grand Final team, plus an update on where they are now and full predictions for Saturday’s third decider between the clubs this century.

Starting with the captain and coach, then working up in jumper number order …

5. NATHAN BUCKLEY (captain)

Reflections on the 2003 Grand Final: “We’d beaten Brisbane in the qualifying final three weeks earlier, so we were relatively confident going in. We’d performed well on that stage and had qualified well against Port Adelaide the week before.

“So beating the top two sides of the year – and we were thereabouts as a top four side – we were relatively confident that we were well placed to be able to get the job done. But what became abundantly apparent is that we just didn’t turn up in as good a shape as we could’ve. If I reflect on it, I think half of the group were overconfident and the other half were overawed. They came at us hard with a physical element and we didn’t stand up in the early stages of the game.”

Now: “Working in the media for Fox Footy and SEN, which I’m really enjoying.”

Favourite current player: “I’ll go with Steele (Sidebottom), he was my original favourite. Connection is really important, and as a forwards coach in 2010, he’s the first guy I felt like I was really able to connect with and help along his journey. Anyone who’s a teacher or a mentor of sorts, that connection is really important – you need to feel like you’re of service and of value. Steele and I developed that rapport really quickly. To have seen him continue through his career and achieved what he’s achieved. I also loved the youthful exuberance and sheer joy he brought to football. That was in contrast to how I went about my footy at the same age. I sort of look on with admiration that he started like that and has been able to maintain it for the entirety of his career.”

Tip: “Collingwood by 10. I think the Pies will be able to ratchet up the pressure to a level that will have the game on their terms for long enough to be able to have the scoreboard look favourable for them.”

Norm Smith Medal: “I’ll go ‘Crispy’ (Jack Crisp), it reckon it’ll be out of him or Nick Daicos. I think Jack’s back in form, he’s been settled as either a midfielder or a half back. Since he’s been more settled, I think he’s popped again. His run will be crucial, when everyone else starts slowing down or the intensity starts getting a bit too much for some, he just goes to another level. He’ll be significant and his second half will be better than his first.”