Collingwood saw their premiership hopes flashing before their eyes to start season 2024 and with the toughest road trip in footy before them, they took back control, beating Brisbane at the Gabba.
It was a back and forth contest across the evening, but the Magpies led most of the way and had the answers when needed.
You could feel the pressure early as the turnovers mounted. 0-4 for Collingwood versus 0-2 for Brisbane at the Gabba to start 2024. Both outcomes unacceptable.
It's the Lions now who sit 0-3, having burnt two home games, with Melbourne, Geelong and GWS in the next month. Their season could slip away quickly.
See our grades for every player in the game below:
Brisbane
Dayne Zorko - A
Continued his excellent start to the season. Uses the ball so well and thriving with more time in the middle.
Lachie Neale - A
Took control of the game in the second quarter and fought hard across the evening, despite being the target of some Collingwood niggle across the night. Couldn't have done much more.
Hugh McCluggage - B+
Always makes things happen when he gets the footy. It doesn't always pay off, but he took the game on when Brisbane needed a spark tonight.
Cam Rayner - B+
Kicked two big goals and found some footy around the ground. Can hold his head high.
Lincoln McCarthy - B
Was very involved in the first half around the ball and kicked a big goal in the fourth.
Josh Dunkley - B
A typical Josh Dunkley game, this one. Seven score involvements, six tackles, did the defensive work on-ball. Nothing flashy.
Jarrod Berry - B
Darcy Wilmot - C+
Provided some rebound off half back, but you can feel the Coleman-shaped hole in this back six right now.
Oscar McInerney - C+
Zac Bailey - C+
Had 20 disposals and kicked a goal, but was still pretty quiet for the most part.
Jaspa Fletcher - C
Charlie Cameron - C
Kicked 1.3. Missed his chances when they bobbed up. Beaten by Quaynor across the night.
Callum Ah Chee - C
Brandon Starcevich - C
Harris Andrews - C
Has Collingwood put together the blueprint of how to limit Harris Andrews' influence? He took seven marks, but wasn't a factor.
Ryan Lester - C-
Darcy Fort - C-
Chris Fagan loves playing two ruckmen... not sure it's worked more than a couple of times, though.
Noah Answerth C-
Bobby Hill kicked two on him in the first quarter.
Jack Payne - C-
Joe Daniher D+
Clearly beaten by Billy Frampton.
Deven Robertson - D
A tough first half with a few fumbles in key moments. Subbed out in the fourth.
Eric Hipwood - F
-4 ranking points through the first three quarters of the game. Dropped marks, beaten badly by Billy Frampton. Dirty night.
Kai Lohmann - N/A
Subbed in late.
Collingwood
Jamie Elliott - A+
Jamie Elliott was the man for the task, kicking two big goals in the final quarter, to go with two more earlier in the night. Took 50-50 opportunities and turned them into Collingwood goals. He was the difference.
Tom Mitchell - B+
Rebounded well after a poor game last week. Used the ball well by hand and laid seven tackles.
Darcy Moore - B+
After a tough start to the year, Darcy Moore found some form tonight. He was still aggressive with his intent and positioning, but it went his way tonight.
John Noble - B+
Playing like a player with a point to prove. John Noble had his best game in some time on Thursday night, providing plenty of run and dash from half back.
Isaac Quaynor - B+
Did as good a job on Charlie Cameron as you can, really.
Billy Frampton - B+
Forget being the decoy defensive forward, Billy Frampton is a pure one-on-one key defender and is thriving in the role so far in 2024.
Bobby Hill - B
Kicked three goals in the first quarter and gave the Lions some flashbacks! Mostly unsighted from then on, but damage done early.
Scott Pendlebury - B
Nick Daicos - B
Hasn't been his electric best this last fortnight, but we hold him to a very high standard now. Had a strong fourth quarter when the game was on the line.
Brayden Maynard - B
His usual fiery self.
Brody Mihocek - B
Somehow ended up with three goals despite being invisible for most of the night. One was a mark over the goal line and the other a snap from the impossible angle. Took his chances.
Jeremy Howe - B
Jack Crisp - C+
Surprisingly started as the sub. Came on during the third term and was lively. Kicked a big goal in the fourth.
Josh Daicos C+
Not as prolific as last week, but didn't have to be with the Collingwood engine room significantly better overall.
Mason Cox - C+
Beau McCreery - C+
Kicked his two goals. Could've had a bigger night with some luck.
Patrick Lipinski - C
Jordan De Goey C
Hasn't been a great start to the season for De Goey. Using the ball poorly and struggling to influence from the middle.
Will Hoskin-Elliott - C
Reef McInnes - D+
Darcy Cameron D
Barely sighted across the evening. Has Mason Cox overtaken him as the preferred ruckman?
Finlay Macrae - D
Subbed out early in the third quarter. Minimal impact in the first half after being given the start.
Lachie Schultz - D
One disposal in the first half. A big shot for goal in the last quarter that hit the post. They can talk about positioning and defensive running all they like ... they gave up a future first-round pick for his talents. Needs to do more.