Collingwood has kick-started its 2024 season with a 20-point win over Brisbane at the Gabba on Thursday night.
On the back of a high-pressure game, the Magpies soared to a 14.8 (92) to 10.12 (72) victory in the Grand Final rematch.
They trailed by five points at half-time, then kicked five goals to one in the third to earn some breathing space and stormed home in the last term to send many of the 34,022 home fans scurrying for the exits early.
While Collingwood now moves to a 1-3 win-loss record, the Lions are floundering at 0-3 with a tough month ahead.
Craig McRae's personnel and positional changes worked a treat, with Nick Daicos (30 disposals and seven score involvements) back to his dazzling and creative best from half-back, alongside recalled running defender John Noble (24).
Jamie Elliott kicked four goals, with his final major symptomatic of the Magpies' desperation, pinning Dayne Zorko holding the ball and then converting his set shot.
Collingwood finished with 85 tackles to Brisbane's 53, a whopping 16 of which came inside forward 50.
The Magpies were beaten at the stoppages (42-34) and inside 50s (56-43), but in a classic contrast of styles, they forced the Lions into turnovers and exploded into action on the rebound.
Veterans Tom Mitchell and Scott Pendlebury were important in the midfield, Jordan De Goey had some nice moments, and Billy Frampton, Jeremy Howe and Darcy Moore worked well in defensive tandem.
After a dominant second quarter grabbed it the lead at half-time, Brisbane really struggled to score, with it three-pronged tall forward line rarely marking the ball inside 50.
After a nervous start from both teams that saw plenty of unforced turnovers, Collingwood was first to settle.
Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill was again tormenting the Lions, kicking three first-quarter goals and the Magpies applied a ton of pressure at the contest and ran in waves once they won the ball.
Conversely, Brisbane went long to its tall forwards, who couldn't grab a mark, and watched the Pies link up from half-back via Noble and Daicos, who were both heavily involved in goalscoring chains.
BRISBANE 1.3 5.8 6.10 10.12 (72)
COLLINGWOOD 5.3 5.3 10.6 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Brisbane: Rayner 2, Neale, McCluggage, McCarthy, Lohmann, Fletcher, Daniher, Cameron, Bailey
Collingwood: Elliott 4, Mihocek 3, Hill 3, McCreery 2, McInnes, Crisp
INJURIES
Brisbane: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane: Kai Lohmann (replaced Deven Robertson in the fourth quarter)
Collingwood: Jack Crisp (replaced Fin Macrae in the third quarter)
Crowd: 34,022 at the Gabba
