Extending its lead at every change, the Magpies got up 18.12. (120) to 13.9. (87) to ensure Brodie Holland’s 150th game was a success.
Leading by four, seven and nine points at the first three breaks respectively, Alan Didak ensured the visitors would put last week’s loss behind them with two crucial final quarter goals to consolidate its spot in the top eight.
Every time Brisbane put the question to the Pies, they answered.
When Mitch Clark booted his fifth goal for the Lions mid way through the final quarter, Brisbane had the lead back to 14 points, but Collingwood silenced the 32,225 home fans with two quick responses.
Travis Cloke took a strong one handed grab and slammed home his second goal from outside the 50m arc, and when Shane O’Bree snapped truly from the right boundary line, the contest was as good as over.
There were plenty of heroes for Collingwood, including half-back Tarkyn Lockyer who was a constant source of run for the Pies.
Ben Johnson, Dane Swan and Scott Burns were also strong, while Simon Prestigiacomo did an admirable job in minding Lions spearhead Jonathan Brown.
While Brown took a spectacular mark running with the flight of the ball in the final term, his return of two goals spoke volumes for Prestigiacomo.
Leon Davis booted three goals for the victors.
Collingwood had no answer for Simon Black in his 200th game, the Brownlow medallist racking up 37 touches, but its midfield worked tirelessly, eventually getting on top.
In a late change for the Pies, Guy Richards came into the team for Chris Bryan and shared the rucking duties with Josh Fraser.
And the visitors got off to a flying start, kicking 5.2 to 4.4 in the first quarter to take a four point lead to the break.
The home team got the jump with the first two goals, thanks to Ash McGrath and Luke Power, but Collingwood quickly found its feet and gained the ascendency with the next four goals.
Josh Fraser got the scoring under way, converting a free kick from 20m, followed by a running 45m effort from the boundary by Scott Burns and a clever snap from a similar angle by Paul Medhurst.
The teams traded goals to the first break where a slight altercation broke out which was quickly resolved.
Collingwood burst from the gates early in the second term with goals to Scott Pendlebury and Leon Davis, after a strong mark against Daniel Merrett, extending its lead to 16 points.
However the kicking yips which haunting them against the Western Bulldogs came back as four successive behinds, including two to spearhead Anthony Rocca, who was goal-less for the evening, kept the Lions in the game.
After dominating him for the first quarter, Nick Maxwell watched as Clark kicked two quick goals from marks on the lead.
Despite the Lions late momentum, Collingwood still held a seven-point lead at half-time, 8.7. (55) to 7.6. (48).
They extended that to nine points at the final break as the teams again traded goals in an intriguing third quarter.
Clark got on top of Maxwell, forcing Prestigiacomo to mind him for a while, while the third quarter highlight for Collingwood came via a booming 55m left foot goal to Travis Cloke.
COLLINGWOOD 5.2 8.7 12.10 18.12 (120)
BRISBANE LIONS 4.4 7.6 11.7 13.9 (87)
Goals: Collingwood: L Davis 3 S Burns 2 S Pendlebury 2 J Fraser 2 A Didak 2 T Cloke 2 P Medhurst D Swan B Johnson S O'Bree T Lockyer. Brisbane: M Clark 5 A McGrath 2 L Power 2 J Brown 2 J Patfull S Black.
Best: Collingwood: B Johnson S Pendlebury S Burns S Prestigiacomo T Lockyer.
Brisbane: S Black M Clark J Brown J Charman L Power.
Injuries: Collingwood: C Bryan (toe) replaced in selected side by G Richards. Brisbane: A McGrath (knee) J Adcock (concussion) C Johnson (foot) replaced in selected side by J Roe.
Reports: Nil.Umpires: H Kennedy M Nicholls D Woodcock.
Official crowd: 32,225 at the Gabba.
