Collingwood handed the reigning premier its third-straight loss in a 26-point Queen’s Birthday thriller.

"For most of the game we felt like we were in control to some degree," Craig McRae said post-match.

"I can see the players are believing in what we're doing.

"We have seen that our best can be really competitive."

Mason Cox turned in a stunning performance, finishing with 21 disposals, eight marks, six score involvements and a goal.

"I must admit, I'm really proud of him and I told him how proud I am of him," Fly said.

"We go a long way back and to see him grow... he's had a lot of doubters.

"(When he's confident) he gets taller and taller out there - he's been really important for us in the past month.

"I do believe he is a better ruck-forward than he is a forward-ruck.

"That's his best position."

Brody Mihocek was unable to train fully this week, carrying knee soreness after copping a knock in round 12.

He kicked four goals.

"Jeez I was nervous when I thought he wasn't going to play," Fly said.

"We don't have the depth to bring in someone else to play that role but Checkers is also just a battering ram, he comes in so hard.

"It is one thing to play injured, it's another thing to play well injured... it's a sign of his character.

"Our leaders have really stepped up and taken ownership in the last few weeks."

His assessment of his side after 13 rounds was typically modest.

"We get a chance to take a breath and the bye is a bit of a comma, if you like, in our season," he said.

"(At the start of the year) we didn't know where we would sit in the grand scheme of things and we still don't.

"We are growing and we are focused on our processes."