1. Pies back on the winners list
After briefly resurrecting their season, the Magpies' last month has been woeful. But on Friday night, fresh from the bye, they worked their way back into form, snapping a three-game losing streak. The 48-point win was Collingwood's fifth for the season and its first victory over Fremantle since 2012. For the Dockers, there weren't many positives to take from the performance. They were terrible from the first bounce, and were never in the contest. Coach Ross Lyon would be disappointed with the performance given the improvement they had made over the past month.
2. Pav's last hurrah at the MCG?
Matthew Pavlich is yet to officially announce that this will be his final year, but it appears the most likely scenario. The home of football hasn't exactly been a happy hunting ground for the Fremantle veteran over his career with a win-loss ratio of 14-19, including a Grand Final defeat to Hawthorn in 2013. His 33rd and most likely final outing at the MCG wasn't a night to remember either. The improvement the Dockers had made over the past month was completely forgotten as they reverted back to the football that had them flailing at 0-10. The former skipper, as always, tried his best. He kicked 2.2 and had a hand in a couple of other goals.
3. Cloke back with a bang
It was the best possible start for the out-of-favour key forward with Travis Cloke flying out of the blocks to kick the opening goal of the match in the first 90 seconds. His teammates flocked from all over the ground to celebrate with him, giving him the boost he needed in his return game. Cloke's confidence has taken a battering this season, having being dropped to the VFL twice, but the Magpie forward looked a more positive player on Friday night. Often double and triple-teamed by the Fremantle defenders, Cloke worked hard in attack and was rewarded with two goals, including a terrific set shot conversion in the final term from a tight angle. He also presented well up the ground, giving his teammates a marking option up on the wing and finished the game with 13 disposals, seven marks and four inside 50s. Not a standout performance, but a strong enough showing for Cloke to hold his place in the side next week against Carlton.
4. Dockers struggle to convert
Fremantle has had its scoring woes this season, but it's not often a team is held to just one goal in a half of football. The Dockers were goalless in the opening term and it took Michael Walters in the third minute of the second term to slot through their first major of the game. But that was it for the opening half. Just four times under Lyon have Fremantle being restricted to just one goal in a half of football, two of those occasions have come in season 2016. In fairness the Dockers' forwards were starved of opportunity with just 37 inside 50s for the game to Collingwood's 65. Fremantle's night in front of goal was summed up in the third term when Michael Barlow handballed to an open Jack Hannath in the goal square, only for the youngster to fumble the ball. Barlow went in and got the ball again, this time, spotting up the more experienced Hayden Ballantyne who finally converted.
5. Fans brave the cold
It was a chilly 6.5 degrees when the players began their warm up before the game, and by the end of the game the mercury had barely moved. The wintery conditions, a closed MCG car park and several Metro train line disruptions all contributed to a poor showing at the home of football on Friday night. The MCC had predicated a crowd of 32,000 for the clash between 14th and 15th on the ladder, but the figure fell way short of expectations. Just 20,320 fans braved the freezing conditions, the smallest crowd to watch Collingwood play at the MCG since round five, 1940. But the majority of the fans went home happy after seeing the improved Pies claim the four points.
