An injury scare to Dale Thomas was the only concern for Collingwood as they downed the Gold Coast Suns by 54 points in their AFL clash on Saturday night.

Thomas was subbed off in the third quarter with a suspected corked thigh suffered in the second term, but Collingwood were not to be denied against the fighting Suns.

In just their second interstate game of the 2011 season, Collingwood were eventually made to work on the tourist strip by the AFL rookies, before running out 19.15 (129) to 11.9 (75) winners.

Second-last Gold Coast surprisingly tied the second half with ladder leading Collingwood and even won the final term by two points.

The Suns kicked the first two goals of the match to give the outnumbered Gold Coast faithful some hope before normal service resumed.

When Mav Weller kicked the Suns' third major late in the first term the hosts only trailed by nine points.

But the Magpies kicked the next eight goals on their way to a 6.4 (40) to 3.1 (19) lead at the first break.

One of the few bright spots in the second term for the hosts was a wonderful running goal by last round's Rising Star nominee Trent McKenzie as Collingwood blew the scoreline out to 13.8 (86) to 5.2 (32) by halftime.

At three-quarter time, Magpies led 16.12 (108) to 8.4 (52).

It was billed as master versus apprentice, with Suns coach Guy McKenna lining up against his former mentor Malthouse.

After 10 years playing under him at West Coast and another five as his Magpies assistant, McKenna had ample inside information on Malthouse.

And with ex-Magpies Josh Fraser, Danny Stanley, Sam Iles (players) and Shane O'Bree (Suns assistant coach) also on board, McKenna could compile an impressive Malthouse dossier.

He needed all the help he could get with the Suns at $17 and Collingwood $1.01 favourites.

But still the Suns remain win-less at home this season, losing their fifth straight game.

A new record crowd of 23,302 packed the ground - mind you the majority were donning Collingwood colours.

Indeed about 7000 Collingwood fanatics had reportedly travelled from Melbourne alone just for the clash, injecting a staggering $5 million into the local economy.

For Magpies, Scott Pendlebury led the way with 34 touches while Lachlan Keeffe had three goals.

Gary Ablett (36 touches) again led the way for the Suns, showing no signs of the knee complaint that troubled him last round.

And last round's Rising Star nominee Trent McKenzie was impressive, kicking two wonderful goals.

Malthouse tried to play down the injury to Thomas as well as a shoulder complaint that troubled Ben Johnson (33 touches) late in the game.

Malthouse seemed more intent on discussing the Suns.

"They are going to be a very, very good football side," he said.

"They are extremely well coached. Standby - that's all I have to say."

McKenna was clearly chuffed by their second half display.

"It's a good sign for us. It's a fair results against a side like Collingwood," he said.

"To have the same effort next week is the challenge.

"But maybe this team is moving forward which is pleasing - the boys are believing."

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