Despite the first half from hell, Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell was feeling "pretty good" at the main break in Saturday night's crucial AFL clash against Brisbane.

Maxwell and his fellow defenders had to completely reorganise when full-back Simon Prestigiacomo groggily left the field only six minutes into the match.

The Magpies also played poorly and conceded three quick goals late in the second term to trail by 14 points at halftime.

Lions captain Jonathan Brown had kicked four goals in Prestigiacomo's absence and was on the verge of tearing the game apart.

But Maxwell's optimism was vindicated - the Magpies dramatically improved their midfield workrate and smashed Brisbane in the second half to win by 40 points.

Prestigiacomo also returned in the last term, having recovered from his head clash with Brown.

"They got three late goals ... I was saying to the boys, look, we've played poorly and yet we were in front with three minutes to go to halftime, so it was crucial that everyone understood how we were in this contest," Maxwell said of the halftime situation.

"The ball that they were getting forward in the second half was under a lot more pressure than what it was in the first half and that's crucial to any backline."

Maxwell said it was a hectic few minutes after Prestigiacomo left the field.

"We had to move things around pretty quickly, obviously you never go into a game expecting to lose your best key defender," he said.

"It threw things around a little bit and they got the jump on us, but having said that ... the ball coming in (to Brisbane's forwards) was very clean and very hard to stop."

Maxwell was superb, often playing as a loose man and working hard to block the spaces where Brown might lead.

While pleased with the emphatic win, Maxwell said it was vital that the Magpies did not become too pleased with themselves.

They are a game clear in fourth spot, but face fifth-placed Adelaide next Saturday night at AAMI Stadium.

"We can't look too far ahead, if we lose to Adelaide next week, then we could be back out of the four," he said.

"So it's just important that we keep working and win next week.

"We've played 36 guys now, it's important to have that depth and obviously the big games ... the guys get to play in those scenarios."

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