Collingwood completed a 29-point upset victory over Sydney on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium, the greatest sign yet that they'll be doing more than just making up the numbers in the AFL finals.
The Swans were irrepressible in the early stages of the clash, booting the opening four goals as the Magpies struggled to keep up with the hosts' incredible pressure and swift ball movement.
But Collingwood managed to settle. By quarter-time they trailed by only two goals, in the decisive third term they seized control of the contest with fierce pressure to beat the Swans at their own game and win 14.16 (100) to 10.11 (71).
Sydney's star recruit Kurt Tippett booted six goals for the second week in a row, but the hosts relied on him too much with only four other Swans able to get on the scoreboard in Ted Richards' 200th match.
The running game of Collingwood proved the difference, with Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Dayne Beams and Harry O'Brien magnificent for the visitors.
The victory leaves the Magpies two points adrift of fourth-placed Fremantle, who host Greater Western Sydney on Sunday.
But even if Collingwood fail in their improbable pursuit of a top-four spot, come September they will draw confidence from an away win over the reigning premiers.
The in-form Magpies next face Hawthorn on Friday night, a six-day break and the premiership favourites to be the ultimate test after impressive wins over Essendon and Sydney.
The only sour note for Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley was the form of key defender Nathan Brown, with Tippett running rampant just two weeks after GWS young gun Jeremy Cameron kicked seven goals against him.
Tippett did everything in his power to get the Swans over the line, with Brown substituted out of the game late in the third quarter.
The 26-year-old booted two quick goals after halftime to reel in the Magpies' three-point lead at the major break, and slotted another in the dying stages of the third term to reduce their advantage to 12 points and give the Swans hope.
However, Ben Reid goalled after the three-quarter time siren and the 'Pies never looked back in front of the crowd of 42, 627.
"It was exactly how we wanted to play. It's good evidence for us, as to what we're capable of," Buckley said.
"This group of players, what we're capable of right now against a very good opposition.
"It's evidence that we're capable, now the job's ahead of us."
Swans coach John Longmire was disappointed with his side's inaccuracy in the first half and their drop in work rate after halftime.
"The second half was all about work rate ... they (Collingwood) just worked really hard," Longmire said.
"Their pressure was pretty good, but that's what you get from teams in the top eight.
"...The first half we didn't capitalise on our opportunities as much as we should have, and they made us pay.
"...We kicked 1.5 in the that second quarter."
