Collingwood is in the top eight after surviving a late charge from Greater Western Sydney to record an 11-point win on a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon at the MCG.
The Pies looked home when they led by 34 points at the 12-minute mark of the final term, but the Giants sprung to life, booting four unanswered goals to cut the deficit to just 10 points with four minutes remaining.
But the Giants ran out of time and the Pies' 11.22 (88) to 12.5 (77) victory – their fifth on the bounce – was enough to lift them to seventh on the ladder (only percentage behind Sydney) and with a relatively soft draw over the next five weeks.
The opening half was a dour affair, with both sides unable to transition the ball with any speed or fluency.
The Giants managed just two goals across the first two quarters and they were both on the board inside 11 minutes.
GWS looked on early and Jesse Hogan opened its account after a couple of minutes, before Lachie Whitfield added another seven minutes later.
The Pies' first goal came via Jamie Elliott after 17 minutes, and the dangerous forward doubled his tally soon after to level the score.
Brody Mihocek kicked the first of his two goals a few minutes before quarter-time, ensuring his side went into the first break six points to the good.
The Pies controlled a dull second term and extended their lead to 23 points at the main break, after adding two goals (via Mihocek and Steele Sidebottom), while keeping the Giants scoreless.
Sidebottom was creating plenty of headaches for Mark McVeigh and his assistants, while Nick Daicos and milestone man Brayden Maynard (playing his 150th game) were steady across half-back.
The stats were pretty even at half-time, but the Pies led inside 50s by seven (31-24), clearances by seven (17-10) and stoppage clearances by six (13-7).
GWS needed the first goal of the second half and Tom Green delivered, snapping truly after crumbing a marking contest.
The Pies returned serve almost immediately, though, when Maynard set up Oliver Henry, who went back and slotted his first goal of the day.
The Giants were better in the third term, kicking three goals, but still lost the quarter (by 14 points), after the Magpies helped themselves to four majors.
Collingwood swung for home 37 points in front, and its advantage would have been much greater had it made the most of its opportunities in front of goal.
In driving rain, GWS jumped out of the blocks in the fourth quarter, with Jake Riccardi and Josh Kelly kicking two quick goals to cut the deficit to 25 points.
And when Riccardi was gifted a second from the top of the goalsquare after a contentious rushed decision against Darcy Moore, the Giants were within four goals.
Darcy Cameron, who was one of the Pies' best, steadied the ship for the Pies when he slotted his first goal after winning a free kick for a ruck infringement, and when Henry booted his second a minute later, the deal had been sealed – or so it seemed.
Out of nowhere, GWS kicked four goals in a row to cut the margin to just 10 points with four minutes to play.
The Jordan De Goey-less Pies hung on, however, keeping their hot streak alive.
Maynard celebrates in style
Doubtless one of the most popular players at the club, Pies defender Brayden Maynard was typically brilliant in his 150th game. The 25-year-old finished with 22 touches at 86 per cent, nine intercepts, four score involvements, four inside 50s and six rebound 50s. Having been drafted by Collingwood with its third selection and 30th pick overall in the 2014 NAB AFL Draft, Maynard debuted in Round 14, 2015 – a 10-point loss to Hawthorn. His first five games were losses and he was part of just two wins (from nine matches) in his debut season. Maynard has developed into one of the Magpies' best and most reliable players, and his consistency was rewarded when he finished runner-up in last year's Copeland Trophy, before winning a three-year contract extension (until the end of 2025) in December.
Daicos enhances NAB AFL Rising Star credentials
The Pies young gun continued his stellar debut season, racking up 25 touches at 80 per cent efficiency – no mean feat in slippery conditions. It's already been said a number of times, but Daicos belies his age (he's only 19) and inexperience (he's now played 14 games). He is loaded with class, and his composure is mightily impressive, especially when you consider he is playing a role that is largely foreign to him. Daicos is deserving of his status as one of the NAB AFL Rising Star favourites in what is an incredibly hot field.
COLLINGWOOD 3.4 5.9 9.17 11.22 (88)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY 2.4 2.4 5.4 12.5 (77)
GOALS
Collingwood: Cameron 2, Elliott 2, Henry 2, Mihocek 2, Ginnivan, McCreery, Sidebottom
Greater Western Sydney: Hogan 4, Riccardi 2, Ash, Coniglio, Green, Greene, Kelly, Whitfield
BEST
Collingwood: Cameron, Adams, Lipinski, Sidebottom, Maynard, Noble
Greater Western Sydney: Coniglio, Hogan, Kelly, Himmelberg, Whitfield, Cumming
INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Trey Ruscoe (unused)
Greater Western Sydney: Callum Brown (unused)
Crowd: 30,804 at the MCG
