Collingwood took a major step toward an AFL grand final berth with a 15-point victory over Brisbane at an overflowing MCG on Saturday night.

In a finals series that had been dominated by interstate clubs, the Magpies joined Essendon as the lone Victorians among the six teams remaining in the premiership race, winning 9.12 (66) to 7.9 (51)

For Collingwood, the victory in the replay of last year's grand final gave it its first victory over the Lions in their past four matches.

For Brisbane it was a case of a succumbing to a crippling injury list.

The Lions came into the match with four key players on the sidelines and with their captain Michael Voss under a serious cloud.

But they still led until three-quarter time and came within a couple of kicks of victory.

The first two quarters proved uncannily similar - and equally frustrating - for Collingwood.

Buckley began the each of them with a goal inside a minute, his second-quarter effort coming inside 30 seconds.

But each time, Collingwood took the best part of half an hour to add to their total.

And each time it was Chris Tarrant who got the scoreboard rolling again.

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