Collingwood have sent another set of AFL challengers packing, ending sixth-placed St Kilda's winning streak with a workmanlike 19-point victory at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

After being tested in a pulsating first half, the Magpies slowly ground down the Saints in the second to post their 12th consecutive win this season - a 14.5 (89) to 10.10 (70) triumph.

The win keeps the Magpies top of the ladder and plunges the Saints back into a fight to make the top eight at season's end.

Collingwood's Leon Davis had a field day off half-back with 36 possessions, while midfielder Dane Swan was influential with 34 touches and two goals.

Leigh Montagna booted three goals for the Saints and had 24 touches.

The Magpies led by 19 points at quarter-time, booting four goals in a row to end the term and looking likely to make short work of the team they beat in last year's grand final.

But the Saints twice closed to within a point of the premiers during a solid second term, and trailed by just 13 points at the long break.

The Magpies muscled the Saints out of business in the third term, pushing out to a 21-point lead.

By the time Swan booted his second after the Magpies had smothered the Saints early in the final term, the lead was out to 28 points and there was no way back for St Kilda.

The Saints got some consolation with forward Stephen Milne breaking the record for most goals kicked at Etihad Stadium, booting his 300th at the venue late in the final term.

Collingwood defender Chris Tarrant was reported for a bump on St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke during the second quarter.

But television replays suggest he has little to worry about when the match review panel looks at the incident - which appeared umpire overkill.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse was pleased with the win under the circumstances, believing his side were feeling the effects of two consecutive six-day breaks.

"They were pretty leg-weary through the game and it was pretty apparent that two-thirds of the way through a quarter ... it really took the sting out of our playing group," he said.

"I thought it was a good effort under the circumstances. I thought the boys played pretty good football against very, very good opposition."

St Kilda coach Ross Lyon felt his side had shown they had closed the gap since being hammered by 57 points by the Pies in round 11.

"In the end what separated us was the skill level," Lyon said.

"The bottom line is we fell short and we're not happy with that. Clearly we've improved where we were, but we've still got a lot of work in front of us."

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