Click here to watch CTV's post-game interview with Nick Maxwell

Tough utility Nick Maxwell says getting a win over a revved-up Melbourne on Friday night was a great boost for the Magpies.

Speaking in the rooms following the fighting 11-point victory, Maxwell took plenty of heart from the team’s performance in the first half, when the Magpies booted nine goals to three and opened up a 35-point half-time break.

The first half was really good. There were some really good signs that we were getting back to where we were probably six or eight weeks ago,” Maxwell told CTV in the rooms after the game.

“Unfortunately we fell away a bit in the second half, but a win’s a win, and when you’ve been struggling as a team, like we have the last few weeks, I think you take the four points every time.”

While Melbourne were desperate to mark David Neitz’s 300th game with a victory, Maxwell emphasised that the Magpies, too, had plenty to play for, after the death of coach Mick Malthouse’s father during the week, and the fact the side has a finals spot to grasp.

“We had a lot to play for as well. It seems we get a milestone against us every single weekend.

“We’ve got finals, and of course it’s been a big week for Mick, so we had heaps to play for, and I think we deserved the four points.”

Also encouraging was the way the boys were able to fight back after the disappointment of losing to Richmond in round 19, maintaining Collingwood’s record as the only club in the AFL this season not to have dropped two games in a row.

“It’s good that we can bounce back. We just sort of re-focus and go again, and work out what we have to work on for the next week, so it is a good sign.

“But now we need to win a few in a row, rather than keep going win-loss, so if we want to be a serious challenger and a good side, then we have to win a few in a row.”

The reliable 24-year-old utility, who has now played 67 matches after being promoted from the rookie list in 2004, played in defence against the Demons and capped a solid performance with a typically courageous spoil when coming across the front of David Neitz in the final term.

“I think I did my job as good as I could. I copped a few good knocks and struggled a bit to get through it, but fortunately enough I played through the whole game and got through.

“When you’re a backman, we don’t want all the accolades, we just want the four points.”

With two rounds to play and plenty at stake, Maxwell was quick to shift his focus towards the club’s upcoming challenges.

“We’ve got two massive games now.

“If we win both I think it gives us a really good chance of top four. Two very good teams, and Sydney obviously hitting their straps now, as they do this time every year, or for the last few years.

“We play really well against them, and next Saturday night forms as a massive game, so if we can win that, we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”