A seven-goal third quarter enabled Collingwood to break away from a determined Melbourne for a 17.14 (116) to 13.17 (95) victory in a hard-fought AFL clash at the MCG.

It was the fourth straight win for the sixth-placed Magpies, shoring up their position in the top eight.

Captain Scott Burns was a stand-out with his work in the packs, particularly in the third term, when the Magpies made their decisive break.

The Demons, whose chairman Paul Gardner announced pre-game he was stepping down, came out firing and were able to take a five-point lead at the first change.

Nuggety midfielder Brent Moloney crashed into numerous Collingwood players before the opening bounce.

It set the tone of the Demons' intent to take the contest up to the Magpies, who entered the match as the hottest of favourites.

Young midfielders Brock McLean and Nathan Jones performed strongly in the packs and with agile forward Austin Wonaeamirri providing a spark in attack, Melbourne looked a chance of causing an upset.

Collingwood edged in front in the second term and pushed out to a 13-point lead close to halftime, before Jones narrowed it to seven with a running goal right on the break.

Melbourne were still within a kick 13 minutes into the third term, after a clever snap from veteran Adem Yze.

But, with Burns having a purple patch in the packs, the Magpies kicked five of the next six goals to finally build a significant buffer.

Most of the Collingwood goals during that period came in fine style.

A Dane Swan kick from 65m out bounced through an open goal square, Sharrod Wellingham goaled from 50m tight on the right boundary and Harry O'Brien sent through a 50m bomb off a couple of steps.

But the highlight was a goal of the year contender from Tarkyn Lockyer, who roved the ball in the goal square, was brought to ground in a tackle, but managed to kick the ball over his head while lying on his back under pressure from two opponents.

That put the 'Pies 31 points up late in the term, with Brad Green cutting the margin to 23 with a goal after the siren.

The Demons kept battling in the final term and at one stage cut the margin to 15 points, before Collingwood's Dale Thomas sealed it with a bouncing run down the right flank culminating in a goal.

Collingwood went into the match without Anthony Rocca and Scott Pendlebury, who were both late withdrawals, while the Demons lost Moloney in the final term with an arm injury.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP