Click on the video above to watch Cameron Wood and Lachlan Keeffe speak about the win on CTV.

COLLINGWOOD came, saw and conquered Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, with a slick first half paving the way for a 54-point win.

In front of a ground record 23,302 spectators, the Magpies led by 21 points at quarter-time and 54 at the half as they gave the out-gunned Suns little chance.

To the Suns' credit they fought hard and were level with the Magpies in the second half, but Collingwood was always in control in the 19.15 (129) to 11.9 (75) win.

The only hiccup in an otherwise routine win for the reigning premiers was superstar Dale Thomas being substituted for John McCarthy in the third quarter due to a leg injury.

Thomas gingerly walked off during the second quarter but returned later in the term and despite running with a slight hobble, played good minutes in the third quarter before being subbed out.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse confirmed after the match Thomas was simply carrying a "corkie".

Collingwood's pressure was outstanding when the game was on the line.

The Magpies dominated disposals (116-84), clearances (13-8) and inside 50s (17-8) in the first quarter and could easily have led by more.

The one-way traffic continued in the second quarter as the inside-50 count climbed to 38-15 and the game was as good as over.

Malthouse said the even second half was more due to the Suns' persistence than his team taking its foot off the pedal.

Scott Pendlebury (34 disposals) and Dane Swan (31) had their usual glut of possession in the midfield and Luke Ball's (27) work in the first half was first-rate.

The battle between Travis Cloke (two goals) and Nathan Bock was enthralling, with the Gold Coast full-back getting the better of his red-hot opponent.

Influential players
Although the Magpies' midfield chalked up its usual high numbers, it was their running half-backs that impressed. In just his second match back from injury, Ben Johnson racked up 33 disposals (including 21 handball receives) and Leon Davis had 32 (with 92 per cent kicking efficiency). Cameron Wood was also a more than able replacement for Darren Jolly in the ruck, finishing with 27 hit-outs and 15 disposals.

What it means
Collingwood did what was expected and disposed of its inexperienced opponent with few troubles. The Magpies also got game time into non-regulars Cameron Wood, Brent Macaffer, Alex Fasolo and Lachlan Keeffe that could be handy come September.

Dream Team highlight
Collingwood: The Magpies were not short of contributors, with six players breaking triple figures, led by Ben Johnson (131), Scott Pendlebury (124) and Luke Ball (122).

The crowd
Gold Coast had a taste of why Collingwood is the most supported team in the League. The crowd of 23,302 was dominated by the black and white army with jerseys, scarves and every other bit of Magpies clothing blanketing the crowd. It was a record for the Suns and the home supporters would not be disappointed with what they saw.

Stats that mattered … and didn't
Collingwood average 15 more inside 50s than its opponents this season but went well above that mark. The Magpies pumped the ball forward an incredible 78 times to 41. Just as amazing was the clearance stat - won 40-37 by Gold Coast.

FIRST QUARTER
Gold Coast started the game with a bang, kicking the first two goals, including a fine 60m effort from Trent McKenzie. However, Collingwood, who kicked four behinds before its first goal, soon had its radar on target, kicking the next four goals and restricting the Suns in all areas of the ground. Sun Maverick Weller kicked a goal against the run of play but Luke Ball had one for Collingwood, following a free-kick, not long after. Tyson Goldsack kicked Collingwood's last goal for the quarter a minute from the siren to give his side a 21-point lead.
Collingwood 6.4 (40) Gold Coast 3.1 (19)

SECOND QUARTER
Collingwood continued its dominance, kicking six goals before Gold Coast scored its first point. Three of Collingwood's goals for the quarter were from free kicks, including a 50m penalty to put Jarryd Blair in range. The Magpies were not short of goalkickers either, when Travis Cloke kicked his side's 11th goal, he also became the Magpies' first multiple goalkicker. Gold Coast enjoyed some consolation after Trent McKenzie's second goal from outside 50m, however, its celebrations did not last long, with Luke Ball kicking his second a minute later. Harley Bennell snapped another Suns goal late in the term to cut the margin to 54.
Collingwood 13.8 (86) Gold Coast 5.2 (32)

THIRD QUARTER
As smooth as the Magpies looked in the midfield, they were unable to continue hurting the Suns on the scoreboard. Lachlan Keeffe and Steele Sidebottom kicked Collingwood's opening two goals but the Suns showed some fight, kicking the next two goals, courtesy of Danny Stanley and Nathan Krakouer. Dale Thomas, who spent time on the bench with a leg injury, was subbed off for the Magpies. Luke Ball found Andrew Krakouer on his own in the goal square late in the quarter but Sun Jarrod Harbrow kicked truly minutes later to round out an even quarter between the two teams.
Collingwood 16.12 (108) Gold Coast 8.4 (52)

FOURTH QUARTER
If not for three of its shots hitting the post, Gold Coast could have pegged back a good portion of the margin. As it was, its defence continually repelled the Magpies in their forward 50m and the Suns won the quarter by two points, thanks to goals from Harley Bennell, Sam Iles and Michael Rischitelli.  Ben Johnson, Lachlan Keeffe and Scott Pendlebury kicked goals for the Magpies. Ben Johnson left the game late in the quarter clutching his shoulder and did not return.
Collingwood 19.15 (129) Gold Coast 11.9 (75)

The next four
Collingwood: Essendon (MCG); Port Adelaide (AAMI Stadium); St Kilda (Etihad Stadium); Brisbane Lions (MCG)
Gold Coast: St Kilda (Metricon Stadium); Geelong (Skilled Stadium); Brisbane Lions (Gabba); Adelaide (Metricon Stadium)


Collingwood             6.4    13.8    16.12  19.15 (129)
Gold Coast                3.1    5.2      8.4      11.9   (75)

GOALS
Collingwood: Keeffe 3, Cloke 2, Johnson 2, Pendlebury 2, Ball 2, Krakouer 2, Sidebottom 2, Blair, Swan, Goldsack, Buckley
Gold Coast: McKenzie 2, Bennell 2, Stanley, Harbrow, Krakouer, Iles, Lynch, Weller, Rischitelli

BEST
Collingwood: Ball, Pendlebury, Johnson, Davis, Sidebottom, Swan
Gold Coast: Ablett, Stanley, Bock, Brown, McKenzie, Swallow

INJURIES
Collingwood: Thomas (leg)
Gold Coast: nil

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Dale Thomas replaced by John McCarthy in the third quarter.
Gold Coast: Joel Wilkinson replaced by Nathan Krakouer at the start of the third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Ritchie, Bowen, Jeffery

Official crowd: 23,302 at Metricon Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs