Collingwood have snapped a five-game AFL losing streak, downing winless North Melbourne by 18 points to take some heat off under-pressure coach Nathan Buckley.
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Only a victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday was going to suffice, and despite a productive burst from North early in the third quarter, the Magpies never looked in danger of losing.
Talismanic forward Jordan De Goey recaptured his best form, setting the tone for the Magpies' second win of the season with four first-half goals to finish with a career-best 6.3.
Collingwood's four-goal run late in the second term, which set-up a 30-point halftime lead, was the difference as the Magpies did enough to prevail 14.10 (94) to 11.10 (76) after their worst start to a season in 16 years.
North won the inside-50 count 55-52, even dominating possession in the final quarter, but let the Magpies off the hook with numerous wasted opportunities in front of goal.
After three games up forward, Darcy Moore was thrown back and the All-Australian defender had a field day, bringing down a career-high 19 marks and gathering 28 disposals.
Darcy Cameron (three goals) and Brody Mihocek (two), as well as a two-goal cameo from captain Scott Pendlebury, ensured the Magpies still had enough forward threats to win in Steele Sidebottom's 250th game.
"Immediately it's a better feeling," Buckley said.
"The best thing out of that will be the vision we can show the players during the week about what happens when we execute closer to our brand."
Former Collingwood forward Jaidyn Stephenson kicked 2.2 in his first game against his old club but also produced a diabolical turnover that resulted in a crucial Magpies goal in the third term.
North coach David Noble was upstaged by his son - Magpies defender John - with the pair becoming only the third father-son duo in VFL/AFL history to compete against each other.
Both sides experienced injury concerns, with Kangaroos defender Aiden Bonar subbed out in the third quarter with an ankle injury, while Magpies Jordan Roughead and Nathan Murphy were assessed for concussion.
The pair passed tests following the game and are unsure if they will fall under the 12-day AFL concussion protocol.
While Bonar is facing a stint on the sidelines, North captain Jack Ziebell did not return after heading to the rooms in the final quarter following a heavy collision but is expected to make a quick recovery
The Kangaroos have now lost 16 games in a row, dating back to round 10 last year - their worst winless streak since 1971-72.
The result sees Collingwood jump ahead of Hawthorn on the ladder into 16th, while North sit in 18th, two games and significant percentage behind the Hawks.
David Noble said he was pleased with how North fought the match out.
"I was really proud of the way we dug in and won the second-half," he said.
"Had we got a few things a bit better, I think in the last quarter we could have put some real pressure on the Pies."
Australian Associated Press
