West Coast fought until the end but couldn't produce an upset for the ages in a spirited defeat against flag fancy Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
The ladder-leading Magpies – now 10 points clear of second-placed Brisbane – had to claw and fight for the 29-point victory over the Eagles, stunted and pressured at nearly every turn.
West Coast's work ethic was unquestioned, but ultimately the class of Collingwood led to the 13.10 (88) to 8.11 (59) victory in its second Marvel Stadium home game of the season.
The Eagles - without three of their leaders - were strongly led by co-captain Liam Duggan (27 disposals) and Liam Baker (35), while Brady Hough enjoyed an impressive game in midfield with 29 touches and a classy left-foot goal.
Harry Edwards was also a pillar down back, taking six intercept marks, while second-gamer Tom McCarthy backed up his stunning debut with another 29 composed touches.
Collingwood got on top as the game wore on around clearances, with Scott Pendlebury (28 disposals, nine clearances, one goal) and Darcy Cameron (20 disposals, nine clearances, 36 hitouts) getting the Pies moving out of the middle, while Jeremy Howe (two contested marks, six intercepts) was the north star under a barrage in defence.
The Eagles' competitive start was born from workrate and pressure. They traded majors early, with the 18th-ranked side landing the opening blow, and then returning serve to keep the Pies unsettled and lacking fluency.
West Coast was soon under threat, however, as Collingwood slammed home four quick goals to open the second quarter. Milestone man Brody Mihocek (seven marks, two goals) got the ball rolling, before debutant Charlie West had the crowd on its feet for his first career goal with his first kick.
But the Eagles stuck fat, getting back to the frenetic, pressure-filled style of footy that had them in front at the first break, handing them an eight-point lead at half-time. It was led by Hough's effort to move from contest to contest, which was standard setting, as was Baker's work coming off half-back.
Given Collingwood's desire to play an aggressive defence, getting high and attacking, West Coast's intention to move the ball quickly – and unpredictably – down the ground created opportunities inside 50.
It didn't always work perfectly, with the visitors' handball game susceptible to the Pies' high pressure, but it was enough to unsettle the ladder leaders.
Every time West Coast took control, it was via centre clearance that the Pies wrestled it back. With powerful, attacking clearances out of the middle, they had the Eagles' defenders on their heels.
Collingwood's leaders stood up, and despite things not coming easily, got it done in the small moments.
There were positives aplenty for West Coast, including the debut of towering youngster Jobe Shanahan.
Shanahan moved well, creating space for teammates inside 50 and leading at the ball, and in the second quarter had his moment.
Charging to the top of the 50m arc, the 18-year-old took a strong contested mark and went back to calmly slot the goal that put the Eagles back in front.
The Eagles' seventh debutant for the season, Shanahan showed more than enough to suggest he has a bright future at the level.
West Coast returns home for a Friday night showdown with Greater Western Sydney at Optus Stadium in round 17.
COLLINGWOOD 1.3 5.5 10.6 13.10 (88)
WEST COAST 2.6 6.7 8.8 8.11 (59)
GOALS
Collingwood: Mihocek 2, Lipinski 2, Membrey 2, West, Elliott, N.Daicos, Hoskin-Elliott, Houston, Sullivan, Pendlebury
West Coast: Brockman 2, J.Williams, Ryan, Shanahan, Kelly, Flynn, Hough
BEST
Collingwood: Cameron, Pendlebury, Mihocek, Howe, J.Daicos
West Coast: Hough, Baker, Ryan, Hewett, Edwards
INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
West Coast: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Oleg Markov (replaced Charlie West in the final quarter)
West Coast: Jayden Hunt (replaced Jamie Cripps in the final quarter)
LATE CHANGES
Collingwood: Bobby Hill (personal) replaced in selected side by Oleg Markov
West Coast: Nil
Crowd: 38,126 at Marvel Stadium
