COLLINGWOOD has released the pressure valve for at least a week, thumping the Brisbane Lions by 78 points at the Gabba on Saturday night.
In one of the worst showings in recent Lions history, the Magpies kicked the game's first eight goals and were never troubled, winning 20.23 (143) to 10.5 (65).
The final score flattered the Lions.
Collingwood kicked 8.13 before the Lions registered their first point – a goal to Dayne Zorko at the 14-minute mark of the second quarter – and missed a host of gettable set shots throughout the night.
In a week when he copped a clip from former Pies mentor Mick Malthouse, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said the win was promising, but his team still had a lot to improve on.
"We played a really good half and we just got through the second half," Buckley said.
"We showed the footy we were capable of playing, but we haven't been able to execute often enough.
"For us, it's the next step on our recovery I suppose, from a really poor start to the season to hopefully getting back to some stronger footy."
It was just the opposite for Buckley's "shocked" counterpart Justin Leppitsch, who was at a loss to explain his team's performance.
"I would have thought even Collingwood would have been shocked with that level of effort and intensity and just listlessness," Leppitsch said.
"It just looked like we couldn't move. It was bizarre.
"I've got to take responsibility for that and get better as a coach."
In a woefully lopsided opening half, Collingwood had 28 scoring shots to three and should have led by more than 65 points on the way to setting up its third win of the season.
The Magpies were led beautifully by captain Scott Pendlebury's 34 disposals, including a match-high 17 contested, while Adam Treloar (36 touches and three goals) was a driving midfield force with his run-and-carry.
Giant American forward Mason Cox continued his improvement, kicking four goals in his fourth career game, while Jesse White (three) and second-gamer Ben Crocker (three) were also lively in the forward 50.
The Lions battled away in the second half, but were abysmal when the game was up for grabs.
The corridor from Collingwood's half-back line into its forward 50 resembled a red carpet, such was the ease with which they moved the ball.
Chains of handballs and waves of runners flooded forward for much of the match, as Steele Sidebottom (31 disposals), Jarryd Blair (25) and Jordan de Goey (23) all joined in on the carve up.
The Magpies weren't always clean, but they were committed and had a clear game-plan the hosts simply refused to match.
They dominated disposals (388-311), contested possessions (152-115), clearances (48-24) and inside 50s (70-38).
Zorko with four goals, Stefan Martin, Mitch Robinson and Dayne Beams – before he was taken off at three-quarter time with a knee niggle - were the Lions that could hold their heads highest.
MEDICAL ROOM
Brisbane Lions: Beams was taken off at the final change and did not return. In just his second match back from knee tendonitis, coach Justin Leppitsch said the star midfielder would likely require surgery again at some stage – but not at the moment. "It's something we can manage. It's one of those things, we've got to wait and see if we can manage it through games. It just was a bit much for him today to keep going."
NEXT UP
The Lions travel to Melbourne to take on the Demons on Sunday afternoon at the MCG.
BRISBANE LIONS 0. 0 3. 0 7. 2 10. 5 (65)
COLLINGWOOD 4. 9 11. 17 15. 22 20. 23 (143)
GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Zorko 4, Walker 2, Bewick, Green, Lester, Rich
Collingwood: Cox 4, White 3, Crocker 3, Treloar 3, Adams, Blair, De Goey, Fasolo, Grundy, Moore, Varcoe
BEST
Brisbane Lions: Zorko, Martin, D Beams, Robinson
Collingwood: Treloar, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Blair, de Goey, Oxley
INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Daniel McStay (groin) replaced in selected side by Josh Green
Collingwood: Cox (hand)
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Foot, Hay, Jeffery
Official crowd: 24,552 at the Gabba
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