Collingwoodfc.com.au examines the Magpies’ 32-point win over Essendon on Saturday night.

The Result
Collingwood 14.20 (104)
Essendon 10.12 (72)

Goals - Cloke 5, Fasolo 2, Beams, Goldsack, Paine, Swan, Krakouer, Shaw, O'Brien
Disposals - Swan 42, Beams 33, Pendlebury 21, Thomas 29, Fasolo 22, Johnson 22

It was one of those games that saw Collingwood hold its opponent at arms length all night but never truly pull away to a convincing victory, although the 32-point margin suggests that the Magpies were well and truly the better team on the night.

Click here to watch the highlights from Collingwood's 32-point win against Essendon.

Collingwood left the door ajar leave the door ajar for its opponent for three quarters until putting the result beyond doubt with a four goal final quarter. Had it not been for inaccurate kicking, the Magpies may have given their percentage one last boost, but it would have remained a moot point considering the ladder positioning.

Bucks’ take
“Our defence and our willingness to press up in our front half was a lot better. We didn't use the ball particularly well and we'll have to sharpen up in that area but if I was to list the priorities I'd take the first two, and we really need to work on the third. We don't think we're playing flush at the moment and there are plenty of areas of improvement. It's a game of footy and we'll come out and have a real crack.” - Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley.

Hear more from Bucks in his post match press conference.

Over the fence
“It's a time for reflection, and to work out how we can get better from the year. We certainly played some exciting football, we developed a lot in our footy club in the first half of the year, but it didn't pay off for us in the back half of the year. We've copped a lot of criticism for our injuries and the way we've trained our players. We've made some mistakes, I'll accept that, but we know how hard physically this game is to play, and we have to keep training our players to get there.” - Essendon coach James Hird.

Read the match report here.

Is it an omen?
September is the time of year for omens if you’re a football follower, and we might have one of the best you’ll see this year. Travis Cloke kicked five goals and four behinds in a welcome return to form against Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley on Saturday night. Not only was his 5.4 only one behind off his previous best against Essendon of 5.5 in round 20, 2010, his 16 marks was his greatest return since the same 98-point win recorded against the Dons that night. Have the planets aligned again?

Mr 100%
Alex Fasolo has quietly risen in stature throughout the year, evolving from a goal sneak to a ball-winning half forward who has the capacity to push further afield. The 20-year-old recorded 100 per cent disposal efficiency from his 22 possessions on the weekend, kicking two goals and taking 12 months at the same time. Fasolo has also managed to kick a goal in 16 of his 21 games this season, meaning he is becoming one of the Magpies most valuable players.

View the best photos from Collingwood's 32-point win.

Riding solo
Without Chris Dawes and Cameron Wood, it was left to Darren Jolly to ruck alone for the majority of the night. The 31-year-old’s task was made a little easier when Tom Bellchambers was a very last minute withdrawal due to an injury sustained in the warm-up, but the experienced David Hille was determined to make sure the Magpies had a battle on their hands. Jolly eventually won the day, recording 36 hitouts to Hille’s 20. Three other Pies - Nick Maxwell (two), Scott Pendlebury (one) and Dane Swan (one) - put their hands up (literally) to help Jolly carry the load.

The medical room
Although hardened duo Nick Maxwell (leg) and Tyson Goldsack (ankle) were in some discomfort following the win, Director of Football Geoff Walsh told SEN radio that initial scans indicate that both should be available to play against Hawthorn on Friday night. The same can be said for Jarryd Blair who missed the clash with the Dons due to a groin injury.

Welcome back Krak
In days gone by, a return only six months after an ACL tear was unheard of. But Andrew Krakouer has managed it. Only the mentally bullet proof Tony Liberatore could claim a similar record. The Western Bulldog played senior football only 16 weeks after knee surgery in 1998. But it’s time to doff our hats to Krakouer who added his trademark skill and ingenuity to the Magpie forward line. He capped off his comeback with a goal during the third quarter, and the respect in which he is held by his teammates was evident in their response.

Watch Andrew Krakouer return to senior football here.

Consider this
Collingwood has now won 10 of its last 12 games against Essendon, and its past seven in a row. It’s the Magpies’ greatest run against the Dons since they won 11 in successive between round three, 1932 and round two, 1938.

What does it mean?
-    It’s only the third time that Collingwood has entered a finals series with a win in the final home and away round of its nine finals campaigns since 2002.
-    Dane Swan continues to find the footy, recording more than 40 possessions for the sixth time this year.
-    The match was the first time Collingwood has played Essendon in September since the Second Semi Final of 1990. And we all know what happened that year.

Looking ahead…
Another night match at the MCG, but this ain’t a run of the mill contest set to be consigned to the dustbin of history. It’s what we’ve waited all season for. The injuries, the debuts, the trials and tribulations. It’s finals footy - it’s what it’s all about. The opponent needs no introduction. Everyone knows that Hawthorn had Collingwood’s measure in both fixtures earlier this season. But everyone also knows that this Collingwood side knows how to dig its heels in and produce a final for the ages. Get set. This one’s going to be unforgettable.