The Crows looked set to be overrun by the Magpies, who took a six-point lead early in the final term, before Adelaide booted three goals in five minutes to restore its advantage midway through the last quarter.
Two late goals to Crows spearhead Taylor Walker sealed the club's 14.14 (98) to 12.10 (82) victory, one that was hard earned but deserved given their dominance throughout the match.
Vote for your top three players from Collingwood's 16-point loss in the Magpie Army Player of the Year Award.
Coach Brenton Sanderson acknowledged the Crows had taken the long route to the top eight after losing the first three games of the season.
"We've really been chasing the competition. I know it's round 18, the season's quickly coming to a close, (and) tonight we're in the eight," he said after the win.
"We've got to enjoy this win tonight, but then get home and prepare for West Coast. That's the reality of this competition, it's ruthless.
"We've been working our backsides off to get in the eight. Now that we're there, we need to make sure we stay in there."
While Adelaide jumped into the box seat for the finals, the Magpies' September hopes are fading by the week.
The loss was Collingwood's fifth of its past six games, and it is a far less imposing team than the one which was on the verge of top-four honours just six weeks ago.
Magpies coach Nathan Buckley pointed to the latter stages of the first quarter and the final 10 minutes of the game as the main parts of the game that let his side down.
"For the most part, our attitude and our effort was really strong," Buckley said.
"(It was) chalk and cheese to the last time we took the field (against Essendon in round 17)."
But the credit should go to Adelaide.
Just as Travis Cloke (three goals) and Dayne Beams (two goals, 29 disposals) looked set to lead Collingwood to a come-from-behind victory, a number of Crows stood up.
Walker (three goals) and James Podsiadly (one goal) formed a dangerous combination throughout the day, while Patrick Dangerfield (26 disposals, 14 contested) won important clearances at the right times.
Dangerfield will have scans on his knee this week after receiving a knock in the dying moments, but the club is confident he escaped damage.
Brodie Smith also showed why he is considered one of the leading young talents in the competition with 24 disposals at 100 per cent efficiency, including two goals. Brad Crouch (25 disposals), Ricky Henderson (22) and Matthew Jaensch (22) were others to play considerable roles in the victory.
Adelaide could have sewn up the result earlier, if not for some wastefulness.
The Crows opened a 17-point margin at the first change, but did not make the most of their chances, and Collingwood controlled most of the play in the second term.
When Beams' second goal – a snap from the forward pocket six minutes into the final term – slid through to give the Pies the lead, it appeared the Crows' inaccuracy would come back to haunt them.It didn't, which will be a relief for coach Brenton Sanderson as he tries to lead his club back to September action.
The win also opens up a solid run home for the Crows, who play just one current top-eight side (North Melbourne in round 19) in their final five contests.
Collingwood 3.0 5.4 8.8 12.10 (82)
Adelaide 5.5 7.8 9.13 14.14 (98)
Goals - Collingwood: Cloke 3, White 2, Beams 2, Pendlebury, Elliott, Martin, Witts, Blair
Adelaide: Walker 3, Betts 2, Smith 2, Douglas 2, Jaensch, Martin, Sloane, Podsiadly, McKay
Best - Collingwood: Beams, Sidebottom, Lumumba, Pendlebury, Cloke
Adelaide: Dangerfield, Crouch, Smith, Martin, Sloane Jaensch
Injuries - Collingwood: Langdon (head)
Adelaide: Podsiadly (elbow), Dangerfield (knee)
Substitutes - Collingwood: Ben Kennedy replaced Kyle Martin in the fourth quarter
Adelaide: Mitch Grigg replaced Matthew Wright at three-quarter time
Reports: Clinton Young (Collingwood) reported for rough conduct on Brodie Smith (Adelaide)
Umpires: Farmer, Stevic, Armstrong
Official crowd: 41,482 at the MCG
