Collingwood's clashes with Geelong in the past six years have been so memorable that many that preceded it fade into obscurity.

But it's timely to recall one of Collingwood's most dominant displays in its history against the Cats back in round eight, 2006.

It's a night on which Collingwood won by 102-points, kicking 22 goals to six in front of 69,819 fans at the MCG.

But it was the night that marked the arrival of a new star of the competition.

No one saw Dane Swan coming. He spent his first four seasons on Collingwood’s list in relative obscurity, playing 30 relatively unobtrusive games mostly out of the back pocket.

But on the night of 20 May, 2006, he announced himself as a star of the competition with 26 disposals and four goals in Collingwood’s 102-point win over the Cats.

Geelong had won the NAB Cup only two months prior and were fresh off an 18-point win over pre-season premiership fancy St Kilda. Incredibly, they were on the end of a 22-goal to six performance from the Magpies who were rebounding from two seasons at the foot of the ladder.

"No. 36 for Collingwood...you don't reckon he's going to start getting some attention shortly?" - Channel Ten commentator Malcolm Blight.

Collingwood entered the match third on the ladder and rapidly gaining in confidence. This rediscovered self-belief was evident in the opening quarter when it sunk six goals to Geelong’s two. But it was only a precursor to the next two quarters when the Pies sunk a further 12 goals and conceded only one at the other end.

The side ended the night 102-points ahead and had stars on every line. Swan led the way with his four goals from the midfield, clearly catching the eyes of the umpires who awarded him the three Brownlow votes.

Leon Davis’ best season yet continued when he added four goals of his own including one of the goals of the year from the boundary line. Anthony Rocca also kicked four, and Chris Tarrant three. Nathan Buckley (29 disposals) and Ben Johnson (27 disposals) were excellent in the midfield, while Blake Caracella’s 25 possessions across half back set up several attacking forays.

The win took Collingwood to second place on the AFL ladder, one game behind the eventual premier, the West Coast Eagles. The Magpies’ season continued to cruise along until its treacherous round 10 win over the Brisbane Lions when it lost Caracella (neck), Swan (hamstring), Nick Maxwell (broken leg), Brodie Holland (Achilles) and Guy Richards (Achilles) for extended periods. The side still finished the home and away season in fifth place but was quickly dismissed by the Western Bulldogs in the Elimination Final.

Collingwood 22.14 (146)
Geelong 6.8 (44)

Goals - Collingwood: Swan 4, Davis 4, Rocca 4, Tarrant 3, H.Shaw 2, Johnson, Licuria, O'Bree, Burns, Holland
Geelong: Kelly 2, G.Ablett, Corey, S.Johnson, Kingsley

Best - Collingwood: Swan, Buckley, Shaw, Davis, Caracella, Johnson, Licuria, O'Bree, Clement, Fraser, Rocca
Geelong: Ling, Corey, Bartel, Kelly