Port Adelaide's AFL season is on life support while a top-four finish is within Collingwood's reach after they stormed home to down the Power by 51 points at the MCG.
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The Pies held a narrow lead at the final break on Saturday afternoon before booting seven goals to one to run out 17.13 (115) to 10.4 (64) winners.
The thumping victory lifts the Pies to third on the ladder and should be enough to secure a double-chance with lowly Fremantle awaiting in round 23.
Ruckman Brodie Grundy starred with 41 hitouts, 25 disposals and a goal, Mason Cox (eight marks) was imposing in the air and Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom and Chris Mayne were prolific ball-winners.
A week after losing to West Coast with a goal after the siren, the Power were again found wanting in a high-stakes game, squandering a promising start and managing just one goal after five minutes of the third quarter.
Port have now lost five of their past six games and while the Magpies continue to find a way despite a growing injury toll, Ken Hinkley's men look ill-prepared for the September cauldron.
The Power must beat Essendon at Adelaide Oval next Friday night and hope Melbourne lose both their remaining games to stand any chance of making the eight.
Port had the early ascendancy, restricting Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom with hard tags but the Pies turned the tables with the first three goals of the second quarter.
Off-contract Port wingman Jared Polec showed why rivals are queuing to secure his services, weaving through traffic and kicking truly from 40m to break Collingwood's run.
But the Pies were dominating the midfield battle, led by Adams who had 16 disposals and a goal during a brilliant second quarter.
Missing spearhead Charlie Dixon to a season-ending leg injury, Port looked disorganised in their forward half and reluctant to take the game on.
A chance to take the lead went begging when the Power dropped their bundle in front of goals, handballing among themselves until Collingwood rushed a behind.
The game descended into a scrap after halftime and while Port trailed by just 13 points at the final break, it took a matter of minutes for a fast-finishing Collingwood to put the result beyond doubt.
Ruckman Paddy Ryder booted three majors despite being hampered by a hip injury while Ollie Wines and Steven Motlop fought hard in the midfield.
Pies forward Jordan De Goey finished the game on the bench with ice on his calf.
Australian Associated Press
