After being almost anonymous in the first-half with just three touches, Fevola sprung into action with two goals in the third term and two in the last to help the Lions snap a five-game losing streak.
They won 13.10 (88) to 11.14 (80), leaving the Magpies a game behind ladder-leading Geelong.
Collingwood led at every change, and by as much as 20 points in the third quarter until they were overrun by the home team’s four-goals-to-two final term.
In his 250th game, Luke Power was magnificent for the victors, finishing with 35 possessions and sending the home fans into raptures with a goal at the 10-minute mark of the last quarter that gave the Lions their first lead in the match.
Fevola then took a mark in the square to kick his third and sealed the win in the final minutes with a miraculous pick-up and right foot snap from 40m.
The Lions had many heroes with Daniel Rich (28 possessions, seven clearances) an inspiration in the middle of the ground and captain Jonathan Brown (four goals) a headache all night for the Magpies.
But it was Fevola’s cameo that proved the difference, with two goals late in the third quarter, including an overhead bicycle kick, bringing the margin back to just three points with a quarter to go.
The Lions played a bolder, more aggressive brand of football than in recent weeks, with great use of the centre corridor - and it paid dividends.
Youngster Tom Rockliff also gave plenty of run, with his 30 possessions telling.
Simon Prestigiacomo had blanketed Fevola in the first half, but Magpies coach Mick Malthouse moved him to cover the dangerous Brown and the former Blue took advantage after the main break when Maxwell was his new marker.
Simon Black and Travis Johnstone were also excellent for the Lions, while Joel Patfull was a pillar in defence.
For the Magpies, Dale Thomas never stopped trying with 34 touches, while Scott Pendelbury (33) and Dane Swan (28) also had plenty of the ball.
Collingwood jumped to a 13-point quarter-time lead with Alan Didak kicking two clever goals, but Rich matched it with two of his own to keep the hosts in the contest. The Pies led by 15 points at the long break, but the Lions surged back into the contest in the third quarter.
Brisbane Lions 4.4 6.6 9.8 13.10 (88)
Collingwood 6.5 8.9 9.11 11.14 (80)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions:Fevola 4, Brown 4, Rich 2, Banfield 2, Power
Collingwood: Didak 2, Dawes 2, Sidebottom 2, Thomas, Pendlebury, O’Brien, Jolly, Anthony
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Power, Rich, Black, Brown, Patfull, Johnstone
Collingwood: Thomas, Pendlebury, Didak, Prestigiacomo, Swan, Sidebottom
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Nil
Collingwood: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Stevic, Stewart, Pannell
Official crowd: 34,239 at the Gabba
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
