Holding their opposition goal less until midway through the second term, it appeared that the Magpies were on course to register a victory by a monster margin.
But they encountered a more attacking Fremantle side in the second half, kicking nine goals and conceding 10 in a more free flowing half of football.
Collingwoodfc.com.au has published the best photos from the match courtesy of AFL Media's photographers.
Collingwood 3.2 6.7 10.13 15.17 (107)
Fremantle 0.2 2.6 6.6 12.6 (78)
Goals: Dawes 3, Goldsack 2, Swan 2, Cloke 2, Paine 2, Thomas 2, Beams, Buckley
Best: Swan, Beams, Blair, Wellingham, Sidebottom,Thomas, Buckley, Goldsack, Elliott
A typical winter's afternoon on a slightly muddy MCG.
Tyson Goldsack was pumped up after he kicked one of Collingwood's three first quarter goals.
See him here, see him there...
...Dane Swan was once again everywhere. He had 43 possessions - the third time he's reached the 40 mark for 2012.
Harry O'Brien was at his dynamic best at half back.
Jackson Paine returned to the side for the first time in 10 weeks and impressed greatly at half forward, kicking two goals for the day.
He didn't have Aaron Sandilands to contend with, but Darren Jolly still had his hands full with Jonathon Griffin and Zac Clarke.
The ball's been spoiled, and Ben Reid and Matthew Pavlich already have their eyes on the next contest.
Marley Williams and Steele Sidebottom were both strong contributors in Collingwood's fourth successive win over the Dockers.
Chris Dawes kicked a bag of three goals - his highest haul since last year's Preliminary Final against Hawthorn.
Nathan Buckley's coaching record after 13 matches stands at 11-2.
Alright, Freo, we'll give you this one.
Tyson Goldsack's day took a turn for the worse when he copped a blow to the head.
Travis Cloke's complete focus is on the big red Sherrin heading his way.
Dayne Beams has been a step ahead of the opposition all year
Chris Dawes gets the sit as he flies over Jonathon Griffin at the centre bounce.
Dale Thomas' kick after three quarter time went a little skeewiff, but he made up for it early in the last quarter with a goal assist.
The Pav was as reliable as ever for Fremantle, kicking a team high five goals.
Caolan Mooney stepped out in the black and white for the first time and didn't look out of place for one second.
Jarryd Blair will need to get rid of the ball pretty quickly as Michael Johnson nabs him in a tackle.
In only his fifth game, Jamie Elliott lays one of his 15 tackles for the afternoon on Hayden Ballantyne.
Three first year Magpies get together to celebrate a goal - Jamie Elliott and Jackson Paine congratulate Caolan Mooney.
Elliott and Mooney soak up that winning feeling in front of 44,000 fans.
Mooney adds a touch of Ireland to Good Old Collingwood Forever...
...just as fellow countryman Marty Clarke did on debut against Sydney five years ago.
