The Magpies kicked 1.15.9 (108) to 0.13.8 (86).
The win was the first pre-season premiership for veteran coach Mick Malthouse, as he begins his final season as Collingwood coach.
Heath Shaw won the Michael Tuck medal for best on ground after gaining 25 touches off half-back. He combined well with Leon Davis, who looked more than comfortable in his new role in the defensive 50.
The Magpies led for most of the game but they did have to fend off the Bombers at times, particularly in a frantic third quarter.
The Magpies were penalised twice in 90 seconds for interchange infringements midway through the third term and the momentum noticeably shifted to the Bombers who kicked five out of six goals at one.
The Bombers kicked the first two of the final term and reduced the margin to just three points. But the Magpies clicked into gear and finished off to take the cup.
While it is never easy to force your way into a premiership winning side, there were several Magpies with cases worth considering.
A solid-looking Simon Buckley gathered 16 touches and kicked a nine-point goal in the third term while West Australian recruit Andrew Krakouer slotted three goals by sitting at the front of several marking contests.
Dale Thomas was the architect behind Collingwood's forward thrusts. If the comparisons between the modern game to basketball are to be believed, then Thomas plays the role of the Magpies' point guard, sending the ball into attack for the big men to finish off.
He finished with six inside 50s.
David Hille was subbed on in the second quarter for his first run of the pre-season and the change to Essendon's forward structure was obvious as they instantly became more prominent in the air.
Michael Hurley marked strongly on several occasions and thoroughly beat experienced defender Chris Tarrant. The Bomber forward finished the night with three goals in a sign of things to come this season.
Michael Hibberd and Stewart Crameri finished off their impressive pre-season with another performance that could have them in Essendon's best 22 sooner rather than later.
ESSENDON 0.2.2 0.3.4 0.10.5 0.13.8 (86)
COLLINGWOOD 0.3.4 0.7.6 1.11.7 1.15.9 (108)
GOALS
Essendon: Nine-point goals: Nil. Goals: Hurley 3, Monfries 3, Ryder 2, Zaharakis 2, Watson 2, Hocking
Collingwood: Nine-point goals: Buckley. Goals: Krakouer 3, Dawes 3, Cloke 2, McCarthy, Beams, Wellingham, Ball, Swan, Pendlebury, Thomas
BEST
Essendon: Hurley, Lonergan, Hardingham, Watson, Hibberd, Monfries
Collingwood: Shaw, Krakouer, Davis, Thomas, Pendlebury, Buckley, Thomas.
INJURIES
Essendon: Hardingham (groin)
Collingwood: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Nicholls, Jennings
Official crowd: 45,304 at Etihad Stadium
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
