COLLINGWOOD has shaken off a slow start to run out convincing 74-point winners over Essendon at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.
The Magpies kicked 25.16 (166) to the Bombers' 14.8 (92).
The Bombers had led by as much as 30 points early in the second quarter but the Magpies pulled off a remarkable 104-point turnaround.
The thrashing marks the first time Collingwood has won 10 games in a row since 1965.
Collingwood had to work its way into the game after Essendon kicked eight first-quarter goals.
They clawed back and eventually recaptured the lead at the 20-minute mark of the third quarter in the middle of a five-goal burst.
After gaining the lead, the Magpies booted 13 of the next 15 goals to kick their highest score for the year.
There had been signs that the Magpies were on the march but it was the third quarter where they clearly got on top and used their famous press to bottle up every Essendon rebound.
First-year player Alex Fasolo had the best game of his brief career, booting five goals straight, while Dane Swan got better as the game wore on, gathering an amazing 45 disposals after some inaccurate disposal early.
The loss was not entirely unexpected but is still a blow to Essendon's finals hopes as the Dons now sit half a game out of the top eight.
It was always going to be tough going for the Bombers after Brent Prismall went down with what looked to be a serious left knee injury in the opening minutes.
Prismall is no stranger to knee injuries, having ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee while playing for Geelong in the qualifying final of 2008.
Another injury to Travis Colyer (knee) had a severe impact on Essendon's rotations and it seemed inevitable that the Bombers would fatigue.
Patrick Ryder has had an inconsistent season but his performance on gun Collingwood forward Travis Cloke was his best for the year so far. Cloke got away for three goals in the final quarter but Ryder won the battle on the day.
Quarter by quarter
First quarter
The Bombers stole the show with an eight goal opening quarter, but their superb display was soured with injuries to Brent Prismall and Travis Colyer. Prismall was stretchered off at the three-minute mark with a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Twenty minutes later Colyer was carried from the ground after his right lower leg was crushed by the body weight of Pies' defender Harry O'Brien. Despite their injury woes, Essendon was superb.
Essendon by 23 points.
Second quarter
High on confidence, the Bombers picked up where they left off with Leroy Jetta kicking truly in the opening minute of the second term, making it five goals in a row. But the reigning premiers responded with four quick goals through Luke Ball, Andrew Krakouer (twice) and Jarryd Blair, pegging back the margin to five points. To Essendon's credit, the Dons didn't retreat and managed to stem the flow with goals to ruckman Tom Bellchambers and speedster Alwyn Davey.
Essendon by 11 points.
Third quarter
As if the Bombers weren't already decimated enough, David Zaharakis left the field after he hyperextended his left elbow. With just one player on the bench, Zaharakis was forced to return to the ground with his elbow heavily strapped. Undermanned and under siege, the Bombers struggled to hold off the Pies, who had 21 inside 50s to nine in the third term. Collingwood finally hit the front for the first time at the 14 minute mark through ruckman Darren Jolly and 30 seconds later, Krakouer soccered one through, giving the Pies an 11-point lead. Minutes later Alex Fasolo provided the match highlight with a terrific snap under pressure from the boundary line to give him his fifth major.
Collingwood by 18 points.
Fourth quarter
The Bombers were unable to compete with the Pies in the final term. Collingwood forward Travis Cloke, who had been well held by Patrick Ryder all day, kicked his first goal of the day in the opening minutes, giving his side a 24-point lead. Two more quick goals through debutant Ben Sinclair and Dane Swan put the game beyond doubt as the Pies continued on their merry way with seven more goals for the term, recording their 16th win of the season.
Collingwood win by 74 points.
The next four
Collingwood: The Pies travel to AAMI Stadium next week to take on Port Adelaide. They then return to Melbourne for a Grand Final rematch with St Kilda. A game against the Lions at the MCG follows in round 22 before the Pies head west to face Fremantle.
Essendon: The Bombers need to make the most of their next four matches before a bye in the final round, if they are to keep in touch with the eight. Three games at home against the Swans, Bulldogs and Port Adelaide will help their chances, but round 22 against West Coast at Patersons Stadium will be a tough ask.
Match details
Collingwood 4.4 9.6 15.13 25.16 (166)
Essendon 8.3 11.6 13.7 14.8 (92)
GOALS
Collingwood: Fasolo 5, Krakouer 4, Pendlebury 3, Cloke 3, Jolly 2, Beams 2, Sidebottom, Ball, Sinclair, Johnson, Swan, Brown
Essendon: Jetta 3, Reimers 3, Crameri 2, Myers, Zaharakis, Hille, Monfries, Davey, Bellchambers
BEST
Collingwood: Swan, Fasolo, Pendlebury, Krakouer, Davis, Jolly
Essendon: Myers, McVeigh, Watson, Ryder, Jetta, Stanton
INJURIES
Collingwood: Dale Thomas (late withdrawal with a corked thigh), replaced by Ben Sinclair
Essendon: Brent Prismall (knee), Travis Colyer (knee), David Zaharakis (elbow)
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Lachlan Keeffe replaced by Ben Sinclair in the third quarter
Essendon: Brent Prismall replaced by Michael Ross in the first quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Meredith, Mollison
Official crowd: 73,163 at MCG
