Mercurial Magpie Alan Didak has propelled Collingwood to a 21-point triumph over Adelaide and into third position on the AFL ladder.

Didak's brilliance inspired the Magpies to a comprehensive 13. 11 (89) to 9.14 (68) victory at AAMI Stadium.

The Magpie playmaker gathered 31 disposals, took 13 marks and booted two goals in a match-turning display.

The Pies claimed third spot on the ladder, a position vindicated on the comprehensive evidence presented in Adelaide.

After a dour first half in which each side kicked only three goals, Didak sparked his side to a memorable result.

The Crows appeared to have the game in their keeping midway through the third term thanks to Crow Jason Porplyzia kicking two goals in four minutes.

The first came after memorable smother of a Heath Shaw kick, when he collected the crumbs and threaded through a 35m shot from a tight angle.

Adelaide had raced to a 15-point lead which appeared the game breaker.

How wrong.

Collingwood responded with an inspired 10 minutes of mayhem which reaped four goals - two each to Jack Anthony and Travis Cloke.

The Magpies' usual suspects - Didak, Leon Davis and Dane Swan - launched the blitz from midfield and in a stunning turnaround the visitors led by six points at the last change.

Didak, as was his want most of the night in a best afield display, appeared in vast space in the opening minutes of the last term to finish a goal scoring chain and put the `Pies 12 points up.

Veteran Andrew McLeod then kept the Crows alive with a running major which reduced the margin to one goal as an intense period ensued.

Collingwood scored a succession of behinds before rookie Magpie Brad Dick cooly converted from a 45m set shot to extend the margin to 15 points with about 10 minutes to play.

The Magpies looked to have done enough to take third spot on the ladder, despite a fine running goal from Crow Brad Symes in the 13th minute.

Didak stamped his authority on proceedings by setting up the next two Collingwood goals to underline his brilliance on what proved as emphatic as a 21-point triumph can be.

Pie forward Anthony finished with three goals and Didak, Cloke and ruckman Cameron Wood all kicked two.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse was impressed by his side's tenacity to kick nine of the last 12 goals of the match to prevail over Adelaide.

"They are a very well organised, disciplined, top side and it's always a difficult task to play," Malthouse said of the Crows.

"To come away with a victory under those circumstances, coming from behind, it makes it a good win."

Adelaide had 16 more forward 50m entries than the Magpies, but Crows coach Neil Craig lamented their poor quality.

Craig was also alarmed by the ease Collingwood got on their match-defining roll.

"They got through our defensive action far too easily," he said after the costly loss, which dropped the Crows from fifth to seventh.

Adelaide forward Brett Burton (corked buttock) was the only casualty from the match and will face a fitness test to determine if he fronts Hawthorn on Friday night.

Collingwood host Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP