Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley produced an inspiring comeback match but he just couldn't stop Sydney burying the Magpies' finals ambitions for the second successive season at Telstra Stadium.

In his first outing in three months, the celebrated Magpies leader was outstanding in the final term as Collingwood stormed back from a 17-point three quarter time deficit to lose by just a point.

The Pies had a chance to win the match in the dying seconds but Shane Wakelin kicked the ball over the head of leading forward Chris Tarrant and goalsneak Alan Didak shanked the loose ball through for a behind as the siren sounded with the Swans up 11.11 (77) to 10.16 (76).

Collingwood came to Sydney last year in the same round with the same record and a six-point loss to Sydney then haltered any flickering hopes of finals action after Collingwood made the 2002 and 2003 grand finals.

The victory lifted Sydney to a share of third place (8-5 win-loss record)and extinguished Collingwood's September plans as the' Pies slumped to 4-9 for the season.

The home team lead 5.6 (36) to 4.7 (31) at the main break despite the visitors holding a whopping 17-7 advantage in the free kick count.

Buckley ended up with 28 touches after spending plenty of time on the bench in his return from hamstring surgery.

He started on the bench but made an immediate impact on his introduction in the 14th minute, earning a free kick for his side.

The former Brownlow medallist pulled off a massive play late in the first term by smothering a certain goal from acting Swans captain Ben Mathews and Collingwood grabbed an eight point edge at quarter time.

The tight physical tussle continued in the second term with two goals from Michael O'Loughlin to put the home team in the lead.

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