Nathan Buckley this week described Collingwood's form as "coughing and spluttering". In that case, Sunday's 69-point thrashing of Gold Coast was the tonic the Pies needed to feel a little better about themselves.
But it was hard to know whether the victory was merely a short-term shot in the arm, or a step towards the Pies getting back to full health.
Either way, it was better than the alternative – not that that was ever in danger.
The 18.12 (120) to 8.3 (51) result at the MCG came with little fuss and not much fanfare, and condemned the Suns to their 15th straight defeat – the club's worst ever losing streak.
It also all but assured the Pies of their spot in the top eight, a doubt that seemed ridiculous eight weeks ago but had become a possibility after a string of injuries and losses in four of their past five clashes.
A depleted Collingwood, missing the likes of Jordan De Goey (hamstring), Darcy Moore (hamstring), Tom Langdon (knee), James Aish (shoulder), Daniel Wells (knee) and Jaidyn Stephenson (suspension), filled their boots in the second half.
Although the Pies did suffer another injury scare, with tall forward Mason Cox missing the second half with an eye injury.
It was the only sour point as the more experienced Pies overran the Suns as they fatigued in their first trip to the MCG this season, cashing in on their work to boot eight goals to three after the main break.
It was also an important percentage boost for the Pies, jumping from 108.74 per cent before the clash to 113.2, which is more than the fourth-placed Richmond (who are a win ahead of the Pies).
Adam Treloar did as he pleased for most of the afternoon. The gun midfielder played nearly a lone hand in the first quarter as the Suns had control for some of the term, and he finished with 35 disposals, a goal and nine inside 50s.
He didn't surpass his career-best tally of disposals (42) which looked in play early in the contest, but the star Magpie was the standout player in the game, well helped by ruckman Brodie Grundy (26 disposals, one goal, 43 hitouts).
The game should serve as a confidence booster for the Pies ahead of their tilt at September, with the goals being shared around – Will Hoskin-Elliott booting four as one of five multiple goalkickers – while Taylor Adams (23 disposals) returned from injury unscathed.
After two strong performances in the past fortnight, Gold Coast couldn't keep up with the Pies. Impressive young defender Jack Lukosius (21 touches) was among the Suns' best, his foot skills an impressive feature throughout the contest, while his forward counterpart Ben King backed up last week's NAB AFL Rising Star nomination with three goals in attack.
One of them came early, as the Suns leapt out of the blocks by taking an early two-goal lead.
But the Magpies steadied, thanks largely to Treloar, who kicked a running goal, set one up for Jamie Elliott and should have had another goal assist when he passed to Brody Mihocek, who missed the shot.
Treloar had 12 touches, five inside 50s and three clearances in a dominant opening that helped Collingwood to an eight-point lead at the opening change.
A burst from Travis Varcoe took the game away from Gold Coast. The Pies veteran booted two goals and set up another for Steele Sidebottom in a matter of minutes after quarter-time.
They jumped to a 40-point lead late in the second term before King slotted a set shot just before the main break to keep the Suns within touching distance.
It was only for so long, though. The Pies extended their lead to 65 points by the final change, before playing out time in the final term.
MEDICAL ROOM
Collingwood: The eye injury to Cox was the only injury worry for the Pies. Defender Jeremy Howe required treatment for a knee injury early in the game but he returned to the field and didn't appear limited.
Gold Coast: Ruckman and co-captain Jarrod Witts limped from the field with a knee complaint in the final term.
NEXT UP
Collingwood will head into next Saturday's clash with Melbourne expected to notch another win and stay in the hunt for a top-four berth. Gold Coast heads back to Queensland, taking on neighbours Brisbane at the Gabba on Saturday night.
COLLINGWOOD 4.4 10.6 16.8 18.12 (120)
GOLD COAST 3.2 5.2 6.3 8.3 (51)
GOALS
Collingwood: Hoskin-Elliott 4, Varcoe 2, Elliott 2, Sidebottom 2, Mihocek 2, Treloar, Brown, Cox, Thomas, Grundy, Pendlebury
Gold Coast: King 3, Sexton 3, Day, Martin
BEST
Collingwood: Treloar, Sidebottom, Grundy, Crisp, Pendlebury, Hoskin-Elliott
Gold Coast: Lukosius, Ballard, Miller, Swallow, Sexton, King
INJURIES
Collingwood: Cox (eye)
Gold Coast: Witts (knee)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Dalgleish, Gavine, Glouftsis
Official crowd: 33,577 at the MCG
