COLLINGWOOD gave the reigning premiers the fright of their lives at Subiaco on Saturday night before falling to West Coast by 12 points.
The Eagles defeated the Pies 12.15 (87) to 11.9 (75) after a titanic four-quarter battle. The Magpies led narrowly at half-time, but could manage only three goals to five after the main break.
Midfield stars Daniel Kerr and Chris Judd were outstanding for the reigning premiers, who unfurled their 2006 flag before the game.
West Coast led by three points at three-quarter time and scored two goals to one in the last term in a game that shaped as a goal shootout in the second quarter, but ended as an arm-wrestle.
Anthony Rocca, who kicked four goals for Collingwood, was reported during the second term.
The Magpies went into the game without the injured Ryan Lonie, who was replaced by elevated rookie Daniel Nicholls, who made his debut. The Eagles were without star ruckman Dean Cox, who was a late withdrawal replaced by Jaymie Graham..
West Coast could have gone behind early in the last term, but for an errant Travis Cloke set shot. The Eagles finally broke the shackles through back-to-back majors from Brent Staker and Matt Rosa.
Up until then honours had been even, with Heath Shaw's industry and Rocca's goals the main highlights for the Pies.
Rocca turned the tide midway through the first quarter with a mighty hoof from outside the 50m-arc.
Kicking off half a step from 65m, the Pies' forward broke the visitors' duck - and the Eagles' stranglehold - with a remarkable six-pointer.
Johnson further plugged the leaks with his own long bomb, and the tide turned completely when Shane O'Bree and Rhyce Shaw gave the Pies a solid lead.
After a first quarter of two halves, the second also swung to and fro, with the teams trading goals and Leon Davis the main broker.
A magical first major, displaying balance and poise on the boundary line, was followed by a second a minute later. His third of the quarter from a free kick took the lead to 13 points.
Just as hope began to well in Pies' fans hearts, Rocca was reported for an incident involving Jaymie Graham, and a freakish injury to Johnson - when he missed a kick and caught the oncoming Quinten Lynch instead - shifted the momentum again.
Time and again the Eagles looked as if they would break away, only to be pegged by the Pies, until deep in the third term when Judd's presence proved pivotal.
Caught off the ball by Dale Thomas, Judd was awarded a free kick which so incensed James Clement his argument cost 50m and a lead the Eagles would never relinquish.
COLLINGWOOD 4.3 8.4 10.8 11.9 (75)
WEST COAST 3.2 7.6 10.11 12.15 (87)
Goals: Collingwood: A Rocca 4 L Davis 3 B Johnson S O'Bree R Shaw S Burns. West Coast: D Wirrpanda 3 C Judd 2 D Kerr Q Lynch M Braun S Armstrong T Stenglein B Staker M Rosa.
Best: Collingwood: H Shaw A Rocca N Maxwell L Davis D Swan. West Coast: D Kerr C Judd D Wirrpanda T Stenglein B Jones.
Injuries: Nil.
Reports: A Rocca (Collingwood) reported by field umpire M Stevic for charging J Graham (West Coast) in the second quarter.
Umpires: D Margetts M Stevic M Avon.
Official crowd: 40,413 at Subiaco Oval Perth.
