The Brisbane Lions have responded after a QClash debacle to knock off Collingwood by 27 points in a potential grand final preview in front of 82,326 fans.
After suffering a 66-point belting by Gold Coast last Saturday, the reigning premiers roared back to defeat the Magpies at the MCG for the first time since 2014.
Leading by 19 points at three-quarter time, Brisbane had to overcome some nerves in the final term to win 14.8 (92) to 10.5 (65) in front of the biggest home-and-away crowd for a non-Victorian team.
Emerging forward Logan Morris bagged a career-best six goals in a commanding display - the first Lions player to kick that many majors in a MCG game since Jonathan Brown in 2004.
Morris had terrific support from young ruck-forward Henry Smith, who slotted three first-half goals in his first game for 2025.
Smith came in to replace sore Oscar McInerney, who continues to struggle with a debilitating back injury.
Darcy Fort and Smith battled manfully against star Collingwood ruck Darcy Cameron, helping the Lions comfortably win the clearance battle 50-36.
After being towelled up by Suns stars Matt Rowell and Noah Anderson last week, premiership stars Lachie Neale (36 disposals) and Hugh McCluggage (34) were outstanding in the middle.
"I expected the group to respond, I didn't know whether they would be able to respond well enough to win because we were playing a really good opponent," Lions coach Chris Fagan said.
"It was really pleasing with a younger team to be able to come here and play in a big game in front of a big crowd and produce a really tough performance."
Brisbane were dealt a major blow to their defensive structure when they lost premiership veteran Ryan Lester to concussion at the start of the second quarter.
Trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, Collingwood powered ahead with five goals to two in the second term, including a long bomb to returning star Jordan De Goey.
But after being sidelined for three months, the Magpies opted to take it easy with their dynamic ace, subbing him out during the third quarter.
Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, who has missed a month due to personal reasons, came into the game for De Goey.
Hill flew for a trademark speccy in the last quarter after Lions star Will Ashcroft inexplicably kicked across goal.
The Pies' second term was the only period when they looked close to their best, managing just three goals after halftime in a concerning form line so close to September.
It was Collingwood's third defeat in four matches, meaning they will finish the round off the top of the ladder, replaced by surging Adelaide.
"We've won one of our last two ... it's feedback, but I just have a positive lens," Collingwood coach Craig McRae said, dismissing concerns over the Magpies' form.
"We were outplayed by a really good team, a hungry team.
"Our second quarter was pretty dominant ... I want to dig into that and why that was the case and let's repeat that behaviour."
The Daicos brothers, Nick and Josh, were typically dominant early, but their influence faded as the game went on.
It was the Magpies' first loss to the Lions since round 23, 2023, having won their previous four games against Brisbane.