Magpies cruise to a massive win ahead of their general bye.
Collingwood brat packers Heath Shaw and Dane Swan were outstanding on Sunday as the Magpies defeat the Western Bulldogs.
Swan and Shaw led Collingwood into the bye with a regulation 15.9 (99) to 9.11 (65) win in the twilight game at Etihad Stadium.
But the Magpies blew a golden chance to improve their percentage, which is the worst in the top eight.
The Bulldogs kicked five goals to two in the final term after trailing by 53 points at half time.
Last week, Magpies coach Nathan Buckley defended the so-called brat pack, a small group of players that includes Swan and Shaw.
Buckley denied a media report that the pack was resisting cultural change at the club and there was nothing disruptive about Swan and Shaw in Sunday’s game.
Shaw was best afield with his superb rebound off half-back and Swan racked up 38 possessions.
It was Collingwood’s third-straight win before the bye.
The sixth-placed ‘Pies have a favourable draw after the break, with games against Port Adelaide, Carlton, Adelaide, Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast.
The Bulldogs struggled badly in attack when the game was in the balance early and also put too little pressure on the Magpies defenders when they had possession.
Robert Murphy, Ryan Griffen, Will Minson and young forward Jake Stringer were the Bulldogs’ best.
Collingwood’s key forward Travis Cloke starred in the first half with four goals and kicked five for the game but his fellow key forward Quinten Lynch again had minimal impact.
Magpies on-baller Luke Ball was a late withdrawal with a calf injury.
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