The reigning premiers are well and truly back.
From 0-3 less than a month ago, Craig McRae’s men have evened the ledger and have knocked off two premiership contenders in the process.
On Saturday it was Port Adelaide, who, despite jumping out to a 31-point lead in the first term, were quickly reeled in by the Magpies, who used the occasion to make an emphatic statement.
It was all one-way traffic for the middle quarters at the MCG, much to the delight of the 65,834 crowd, largely Collingwood fans, who packed out the home of footy.
A 42-point win could have been much larger given the number of scoring shots either way, with the final score 17.21 (123) - 12.9 (81).
Here’s how we graded every player.
COLLINGWOOD
Nick Daicos: A+
Copped plenty of attention from Willem Drew early on and couldn’t handle the attention. But given some room to move, Daicos exploded into prominence and quickly became Collingwood’s best.
Bobby Hill: A+
Looked in the same vein of form that won him a Norm Smith Medal just seven months ago. Didn’t have the same scoreboard impact himself but set up plenty of teammates. Four goal assists epitomised Hill's.
Jordan De Goey: A+
His performance against Hawthorn heading into the bye was electric and De Goey carried that into Round 6. One of the few Magpies who wanted to have a crack in the first quarter.
Pat Lipinski: A+
“He looks like Toby Greene,” Kane Cornes said in commentary for AFL Nation about Lipinski. Hard to say more than that.
Will Hoskin-Elliott: A
Undoubtedly one of the best games of his career. Was influential in holding Collingwood together early and joined in on the fun when his teammates picked up.
Darcy Cameron: A
Was his side’s leading possession getter midway through the second, both a credit to him and an indictment on his teammates. Certainly in Collingwood’s best.
Brayden Maynard: B+
More intercepts than anyone on the ground. Brought the fight, as he does every week.
Tom Mitchell: B+
Was very slow early and, along with the form of Scott Pendlebury prompted the question of whether the two veterans could still play in the same midfield. He held up his end of the bargain after quarter time.
Steele Sidebottom: B
Has certainly woken up from his early season form slump.
Mason Cox: B
Cox’ white glove certainly was an eye-catcher but his impact also stood out. Two goals from 11 possessions.
Brody Mihocek: B
3.1. Job done. Typical performance from one of the game’s most unheralded performance.
John Noble: B
Noble had multiple efforts on Saturday that screamed, ‘I’m not giving up my spot again’. Works as hard as anybody in the league.
Billy Frampton: B-
Only the seven touches, but five were intercepts. An impressive ratio.
Jamie Elliott: C+-
14 disposals and a goal saw Elliott play his role.
Darcy Moore: C+
Struggled big time when Port Adelaide was every where in the first term but worked his way into the game. Three intercept marks in the third quarter alone indicates his influence.
Josh Daicos: C+
Jeremy Howe: C+
Beau McCreery: C
When you’re among your side’s worse with 11 touches and three shots at goal, you know it’s bene a great day.
Jack Crisp: C
Perhaps a little down on form, but can’t be criticised for picking up 17 disposals and three clearances.
Isaac Quaynor: C
Lachie Schultz: C-
Got into the clash when he was handed a goal by Bobby Hill and then clunked a big mark the next minute. Little impact outside of that and continues to struggle in black and white.
Scott Pendlebury: C-
Rarely, if ever, has Pendlebury had less impact from 18 disposals. Hopefully it’s just a one-off and not a trend of what is occurring in 2024. Put on ice late in the game.
Reef McInnes: N/A
Subbed on in the dying minutes.
PORT ADELAIDE
Dan Houston: A+
A team-high 722 metres gained and 23 kicks, Houston was the visitors’ best.
Zak Butters: B+
A ridiculous 15 touches and over 300 metres in the first quarter set him up for what could have been one of the games of the century. Struggled to kick on when Collingwood dominated the second and third terms.
Sam Powell-Pepper: B+
So important to Ken Hinkley’s side, Powell-Pepper maximises his damage every time he gets near the footy. One of Port Adelaide’s best despite only 10 touches and contributed two goals.
Jason Horne-Francis: B+
Far from Ken Hinkley’s biggest problem, but another Port Adelaide midfielder who didn’t even threaten to drag his side back into the contest. Looked sore towards the end and was gesturing to his hamstring.
Miles Bergman: B
Played off half-back and onto a wing. Had most of his impact in the first quarter but still among Port Adelaide’s best.
Jase Burgoyne: B
The Power have found one with Burgoyne. Calm and composed, his teammates could certainly learn a thing or two from the 20-year-old.
Kane Farrell: B
Mitch Georgiades: B
His third game back from an ACL, Georgiades was his side’s best forward with three goals and also clunked a couple of contested marks.
Ryan Burton: B-
Plenty of the footy but a rather ineffective performance considering some of his efforts.
Darcy Byrne-Jones: B-
Jordon Sweet: C+
His first game of the year and his first in Port Adelaide colours. Had more hitouts and impact than Ivan Soldo before being subbed off in the third term.
Aliir Aliir: C+
Started the game looking like an All-Australian, but changes by Craig McRae after half-time saw him rendered much more ineffective.
Brandan Zerk-Thatcher: C+
Had the job on Brody Mihocek, who finished with three goals.
Ollie Wines: C
Spent 30 per cent of the game on the bench and couldn’t influence on the field.
Connor Rozee: C-
A very unlike-Rozee performance. Fumbled his way through the clash and overall, went missing.
Willem Drew: C-
Has been pumped up to start the season but, by and large, crashed back down to earth on Saturday. Apart of a Port Adelaide midfield that got smashed and only laid four** tackles on the defensive side.
Esava Ratugolea: C-
Starting at full-back and looked to intercept from there. Several blunders as Collingwood turned the tide in the third and fourth quarters.
Ivan Soldo: *
Comfortably his worst game in Port Adelaide colours. On Saturday’s evidence, he and Jordon Sweet can’t play in the same team. But he ran over 14 kilometres on the day and can’t be accused of not giving it his all.
Jackson Mead: C-
Todd Marshall: C-
Always seems to struggle without Charlie Dixon and this was no different.
Lachie Jones: C-
He wasn’t given the role on Nick Daicos this time around, so at least he didn’t have a negative impact. Didn’t offer anything positive, however.
Willie Rioli: D
A seriously tough day at the office. Burning Darcy Byrne-Jones before kicking a point in the last term was emblematic of his day.
Jed McEntee: N/A
Came on in the third term after starting as the sub but couldn’t influence the contest.