> Watch Heath Shaw speak to CTV in the rooms after the one-point win


Over 50,000 supporters packed into Etihad Stadium on Friday night to witness Collingwood enjoy a memorable victory of the Western Bulldogs 17.9 (111) to 16.14 (110).

The Magpies were only able to kick one major in the fourth quarter but it was enough to seal the match and make it seven consecutive wins this season, a feat not accomplished since the 1990 season.

Defender Heath Shaw (22 disposals, five marks and four tackles) played a pivotal role in holding Bulldog forward Brad Johnson goalless while providing a strong counter attack through the corridor, a game plan not generally associated with a Collingwood side.

> Watch the team sign the song in the rooms after the win

“I guess it was the way the Dogs played that forced us to use the ball through the centre”, Shaw told CTV in the rooms after the win.

"It proved effective in the first half."

The win sits the Magpies comfortably inside the top eight with seven rounds left in the home and away season.

“It was pretty tiring in the end of the last quarter.

“It shouldn’t have got that close in the end.  We played really well for three quarters and 25 minutes of that last quarter we let ourselves down.

“We managed to get over the line at the end which was super for the boys.  We needed one of those wins.  They are a quality opposition and it was just a super game.”

> Watch Mick Malthouse address the media after the match

Shaw played a pivotal role in the final minutes, using his strength in contested situations to force the ball towards the boundary line and away from the Bulldogs’ goals.

“As a back man you don’t want to be the one that lets his player kick the game winning goal.

“You do whatever you can to get the ball out of there.  Whether it is by fist, hand or foot.”