O'Brien was at the forefront of a difficult week off-field for the Magpies after criticising his president Eddie McGuire for his 'King Kong' comments directed at Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes.
Krakouer, an indigenous player, also faced a tricky week as the racial vilification saga swirled around the club.
But on Friday night, both let their footy do the talking.
O'Brien was terrific off half-back and a wing, finishing with 24 disposals, punctuated by his trademark run and dash.
Krakouer had 14 disposals and seven marks, and although finishing with just three behinds, his ferocious forward line pressure typified Collingwood's attitude.
His effort early in the second quarter to smother a Simon Black kick, eventually regather before baulking and handpassing to an open Kyle Martin for the easiest of goals was terrific.
"It just shows how mentally tough they are to put that aside and when the ball's bounced to just focus on footy," Macaffer said of his teammates.
"They were both terrific tonight and very important players so we were glad they played."
Coach Nathan Buckley had given the pair the option of not playing if they felt unable to contribute for four quarters after the draining week, but it was never the choice they were going to make.
Macaffer said the difficulties of the week were easy enough to put behind them.
He also displayed a supreme intensity, picking up 19 touches of his own, but more importantly keeping Lions prime mover Pearce Hanley to a miserly 11.
"I think for us players it hasn't been that bad, we've just sat back and watched it all unfold, everything that's gone down," he said.
"We've just focused on the training and having a good week and putting in a really good performance tonight.
"We've been trying to build all year. From the Geelong game we hoped to build on that and then we were disappointing last week against Sydney and now we've bounced back again tonight, and hopefully we can continue on and have another win next week."
Collingwood has a 10-day break before playing Melbourne on the traditional Queen's Birthday Monday fixture.
Michael Whiting covers AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_mikewhiting
