Collingwood are good at teasing.

Several times this season the Pies have promised the world, only to deliver an atlas.

Four weeks ago Collingwood's season appeared shot.

Three losses on the trot combined with the fallout from Alan Didak's drunken adventure behind the wheel had left the Pies' fighting for their reputation and top-eight survival.

But Collingwood, who love to prove their doubters wrong in the face of adversity, won their next three games to open the door for a top-four berth.

Hopes had been raised and Pies fans nation-wide were yet again dreaming of September success.

But in front of a sellout crowd of 35,106 at Subiaco Oval on Friday night and with a double finals chance on the line, the Pies went back to their bad old ways, surrendering meekly to the Dockers by 24 points.

If the 12.8 (80) to 8.8 (56) loss wasn't a worry for Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse, the nature of it certainly should be.

The Pies were devoid of passion throughout the night and if it wasn't for the first-half heroics of Leon Davis, the 14-point deficit at the long break would have been even greater.

Time and again Collingwood butchered the ball while their finishing in front of goal was nothing short of painful, although the Dockers weren't completely innocent either.

After the Pies conceded five straight goals to end the first quarter, Davis sparked the visitors into life in the second term with a contender for goal of the year.

After putting two tackles on Des Headland, Davis scooped up the ball one-handed, did a 360-degree spin to shake off Andrew Browne's tackle and then kicked truly from 48m out tucked on the boundary line.

That goal, along with superb marks from Luke McPharlin and Roger Hayden, were rare highlights in a scrappy and at times comical first half.

Hopes of a more skilful second half were dashed within three minutes when Rhys Shaw, John McCarthy and Davis all sent balls out on the full.

Travis Cloke's goal in the dying stages of the third quarter closed the margin to 19 points at the final break.

But the game was effectively over seven minutes into the final term following a trademark Farmer goal from the boundary line and Adam Campbell's first goal of the match, which stretched the lead to 31 points.

Apart from Davis' dazzling display, Simon Prestigiacomo was a rock in defence in his first game in more than a year while Shannon Cox tried hard all night.

But the Dockers had too many winners, with Rhys Palmer, Kepler Bradley (three goals), Farmer (three goals), McPharlin, Chris Mayne and Hayden all crucial in the win.

It was an happy end to an otherwise disappointing season for the Dockers, who finish the year with six wins to their name.

It was also a fitting farewell for former Bomber Mark Johnson, who celebrated a win in his 208th and final match.

The loss leave's Collingwood's fate in the lap of the gods.

The Pies will finish anywhere from fifth to eighth, meaning a cutthroat affair in the first week of finals.

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