SATURDAY'S Grand Final combatants have an extraordinary history of producing heart-stopping finals.
Although Collingwood holds a 4-2 advantage – with one famous draw in 1990 – in September stoushes against West Coast, this rivalry is so much more.
The clubs have actually played two drawn matches in finals, with 1990 requiring a replay and 2007 going to extra time after the rules were changed.
There was also a two-point nail-biter in 1992.
In fact, six of the seven finals between the clubs have been decided by 20 points or less.
However, in two matches at the MCG, Collingwood has won both, with tight victories in 2011 and 2012.
Let's have a look back at history.
The Eagles and the Magpies have a rich #AFLFinals history, including an extra-time finish in 2007.
— AFL (@AFL) September 8, 2018
What will happen in the next installment? pic.twitter.com/lTyYdC0iul
1990 qualifying final
Collingwood 13.12 (90) drew West Coast 13.12 (90)
What a final. This match will be long remembered for Peter Sumich's potential match-winning set shot in the dying seconds. The star West Coast forward marked deep in the left forward pocket with 20 seconds remaining and his team trailing by one point. Alas, he missed and the siren sounded. Sumich kicked four goals as did Peter Daicos for the Magpies, including a trademark miraculous banana kick late in the final quarter that appeared to give his team a match-winning eight-point lead.
1990 qualifying final (replay)
Collingwood 19.12 (126) d West Coast 9.13 (67)
With the Magpies kicking eight goals in the first quarter, this match quickly turned into a fizzer. A second trip to Waverley Park in two weeks was too much for the Eagles who were clearly flat and never in the hunt. Michael Christian had 24 disposals to lead the way for Collingwood with plenty of help from Graham Wright (23), Tony Shaw (22) and four goals to both Daicos and Gavin Brown. Collingwood would famously go on to win the premiership and break a 32-year drought.
1994 qualifying final
West Coast 11.16 (82) d Collingwood 12.8 (80)
What appeared a routine win on home soil – at a packed WACA – for much of the day turned into a nail-biting victory for West Coast. The Eagles led by 24 points at the final change but Collingwood stormed home with six final quarter goals to get oh so close. Mick McGuane dropped a relatively uncontested mark 40m from goal in the dying seconds as the siren sounded. Brown was heroic for the visitors after kicking five goals, while Brett Heady (three goals) and David Hynes (23 touches, 21 hit-outs) were influential for the victors.
2007 semi-final
Collingwood 13.15 (93) d West Coast 10.14 (74)
In a pulsating final at Subiaco Oval, Collingwood overturned a 23-point deficit midway through the third quarter to firstly draw the scores at full-time and then boot 3.3 to 0.2 in the two extra periods of five minutes. Premier West Coast was missing three of the AFL's biggest names with Chris Judd, Ben Cousins and Daniel Kerr all out through injury but still looked like pulling off the win. Darren Glass and Andrew Embley missed difficult shots late in regulation to put their team ahead before the Magpies powered home in extra time. Dane Swan was enormous with 38 touches and two goals while Anthony Rocca's three goals were instrumental in the victory.
2011 qualifying final
Collingwood 12.10 (82) d West Coast 9.8 (62)
Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury racked up in excess of 80 disposals between them as the reigning premier overcame a slow start to easily account for the Eagles. Swan finished with 43 touches and a goal and with help from Pendlebury's 38 the Magpies got on top after conceding the game's first two goals. Sharrod Wellingham kicked three goals and Andrew Krakouer two as Collingwood stormed into a preliminary final.
2012 semi-final
Collingwood 10.13 (73) d West Coast 9.6 (60)
Three goals from Dale Thomas in the opening eight minutes of the third quarter flipped this final on its head. After the Eagles had led by 11 points at half-time, Thomas kicked goals from a mark and set shot, gather and right foot snap and then by earning a free kick in the goalsquare. The Eagles stuck their nose in front again early in the last quarter but Collingwood ground out the victory with Swan (29 and two goals) again starring.
2018 qualifying final
West Coast 12.14 (86) d Collingwood 10.10 (70)
The first ever final at Optus Stadium was one to remember. Collingwood looked like causing the upset when they led by 10 points at the last change but West Coast's twin towers of Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling wreaked fourth-quarter havoc to get their team over the line. Lewis Jetta kicked the game's defining goal with five minutes remaining to put the Eagles into a home preliminary final. Elliot Yeo (36) and Jack Redden (32) were superb in the midfield.
LEWIS JETTA OR RONALDO?#AFLFinals pic.twitter.com/zlYvJ54gOq
— AFL (@AFL) September 8, 2018