COLLINGWOOD withstood a dramatic fightback from Brisbane to register a hard-earned 12-point win at the Gabba on Saturday night.
The Magpies led by as many as 53 points during the third term but were given an almighty scare when the Lions booted the last seven goals of the match to almost pinch an unlikely victory.
However, a visibly tired Collingwood outfit dug deep and found a way to hold on for the 12.14 (86) to 11.8 (74) result.
Compounding Brisbane's hurt, skipper Tom Rockliff suffered suspected broken ribs after copping a knee to his side midway through the third quarter.
The collision occurred in a marking contest with Collingwood's Travis Varcoe, with Rockliff in clear agony as he was substituted out of the match and later taken to hospital.
Rockliff was Brisbane's best at that stage with 18 possessions and four clearances.
Star Lions recruit Dayne Beams also saw plenty of the football, amassing a game-high 32 disposals in his first match since his move from Collingwood - but he only kicked the ball seven times, and was minded closely by Taylor Adams for most of the night.
The humid conditions didn't help but the Lions were too clumsy with the ball and often timid going forward when the game was up for grabs - in stark contrast to Collingwood's rapid play.
Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch was struggling to wrap his head around why his side were so poor early and so good late.
"It's extremely frustrating to start like that," he said.
"Three quarters of watching us get completely obliterated in contested possession and effort and tackling and all those key indicators, to somehow turn it around ... I'd love to know (what it was).
"I'd love to get to the bottom of it because we've been pretty competitive in the pre-season and that's probably as poor as we've gone."
BRISBANE LIONS 2.3 3.5 7.6 11.8 (74)
COLLINGWOOD 3.3 7.6 12.11 12.14 (86)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Green 2, Christensen 2, Rich 2, McStay, Leuenberger, Zorko, Taylor, Adcock
Collingwood: Cloke 2, Sidebottom 2, Blair 2, White 2, Fasolo, Varcoe, Crisp, Elliott
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Rich, Zorko, C.Beams, Paparone, D.Beams, Taylor
Collingwood: Adams, Sidebottom, Swan, White, Pendlebury, Grundy
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Rockliff (ribs)
Collingwood:
SUBSTITUTES
Brisbane Lions: Sam Mayes replaced Tom Rockliff in the third quarter
Collingwood: Jordan De Goey replaced Adam Oxley in the third quarter
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Bannister, Stephens, McInerney
Official crowd: 31,240 at the Gabba
