Collingwood have survived a late Western Bulldogs charge to notch a 17.11 (113) to 16.7 (103) AFL victory at Etihad Stadium.

The victory broke a two-match losing streak for the Magpies, taking them to an 8-3 record at the season halfway point, just one win behind top-placed Geelong.

The Magpies dominated for most of the match and led by 43 points when midfielder Dane Swan kicked the opening goal of the final term.

But the Bulldogs came charging back with the last six goals of the match, giving Collingwood a major fright.

But while the Magpies would have been disappointed with the last quarter, there were some major positives for them as they broke a two-match losing streak and returned to form in attack.

Their total of 17 goals on Sunday equalled their combined total from their past two matches, losses to Geelong and Brisbane.

Collingwood broke the game open with a four-goal run to start the second term, then kicked 8.2 to the Dogs' 5.2 in the third quarter to set up a commanding 37-point break at the last change.

Small forward Leon Davis provided an enormous spark in his return from a calf injury.

He kicked three goals and set up numerous others for teammates, although opponent Jarrod Harbrow was an important player in the Dogs' last term run.

Davis' haul included a great snap 13 minutes into the third term, after he stripped Harbrow of the ball in the forward pocket.

That started a run of five goals in 10 minutes, which took Collingwood out to an eight-goal lead, from which they always looked likely winners.

Fellow forward Alan Didak (three goals) also produced some classy football, while Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury and Luke Ball were all strong contributors as the Magpies dominated in the midfield for the first three terms.

While the Bulldogs' late flurry matched their performance in going down to Essendon last round, it could not hide some form concerns, in what was mostly a flat performance.

They moved to a 6-5 record, two wins adrift of the top four.

Much of Collingwood's dominance was built on a willingness to attack the ball and their opponents harder than the Bulldogs, with the Dogs only finding their zest in the last quarter, Matthew Body, Adam Cooney and Daniel Cross picking up 31 touches between them for the quarter.

The Bulldogs also had an injury concern, with half-forward Shaun Higgins helped off with a left leg injury in the opening term, and while he later returned, he left the field again in the last quarter and went to the rooms.

Key defender Brian Lake limped off early in the second half, although he returned later in the term - this time in attack - with his left lower leg strapped.

His move forward unsettled the Collingwood defence and helped spark the Bulldogs, with all of Dogs' key forward Barry Hall's four goals coming after Lake was swung forward, while Lake kicked one himself in the last term.

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