Collingwood staged an amazing comeback to beat West Coast by 19 points in extra time in a pulsating AFL semi-final at Subiaco.

The Magpies kicked 3.3 to two behinds in the two five-minute periods after full-time to win 13.15 (93) to 10.14 (74).

It was the first drawn final since the Kangaroos eventually beat Hawthorn by 23 in their 1994 qualifying final.

Collingwood will now play Geelong next Friday night in their preliminary final.

Alan Didak was best for Collingwood and Anthony Rocca kicked three goals, while Dean Cox and Matt Priddis were best for the Eagles.

Leaving aside Adelaide in 1999, who failed to make the top eight, West Coast became the first defending premier to not win a final the following year since Carlton in 1996.

After their win, Collingwood left Subiaco straight for Perth Airport to begin their preparations for next week's clash against Geelong.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire told Network Seven the Magpies had chartered an aircraft which would take them straight back to Melbourne.

He said that would allow the Collingwood players to being their post-game routines such as massages and injury treatment while returning home.

An elated Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse described the win as a "fantastic" achievement for his young side.

"I said to the player group no matter how long they play for, no matter how many years, how many games they have got left in them, they can always come back to that and say "I know I can do something special"," Malthouse said.

"Because it was a special effort from both sides ... an amazing effort by both sides, I thought."

The former Eagles coach was particularly pleased with the all-round effort of his side, particularly when the game was on the line.

"Some players did not play how they would have dreamt about, they would have liked to have played much better," he said.

"But they still contributed, and I think that has been one of our greatest assets this year has been a fairly solid contribution across the board.

"A few years ago it would have been Nathan (Buckley) that we relied heavily on.

"Today Nathan was one of 22 players that we just needed to step up and play their role."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP