Craig McRae was lost for words after another heart-stopping win over Essendon - Collingwood's ninth straight victory sealed by a Jamie Elliott goal from the boundary after the siren.

"I'm a bit speechless to be honest and I hope there's not footage of me on the bench as the siren goes," Fly said.

"It would have to be the lowest percentage shot in the game, it's pretty exceptional execution.

"I feel like we're just a little bit off in some parts of our game and we were in this position again because we weren't allowed to play our style.

"I think we were a bit passive with our ball movement.

"I believe we are winning games on spirit, I really do.

"This group has an enormous will to win."

In only his third AFL game, Josh Carmichael had a massive impact.

He kicked a goal from his first touch after he was subbed in for Brayden Maynard in the third term and booted a second minutes later.

"(Carmichael's impact as the sub) was a sliding doors moment," Fly said.

"He's a country kid and just loves playing footy... he's living his dream and he can't believe it.

"He's always saying 'how good's this, we get free boots.'

"He's living in the moment and he played like that in the last quarter."

Maynard was subbed out after he landed heavily on his shoulder when attempting a spoil.

"He's had some shoulder issues in the past, it seems like it has aggravated previous injury," Fly said.

"I spoke with him after the game and he said 'yeah I'll be right.'"