Waalitj Marawar threatened to spoil Scott Pendlebury's party but fell 10 points short of upsetting Collingwood in front of more than 90,000 fans at the MCG on Saturday. 

On a marquee occasion, nine Eagles played their first AFL games at the Grand Final venue and the visitors showed grit and resilience to push the Pies until the end. 

Back-to-back goals by star Elliot Yeo (16 disposals, three goals) and Jobe Shanahan in the final term dragged the Eagles back to within three points after Collingwood had threatened to blow the game open with a stunning burst after half-time. 

Ultimately, the brilliance of Nick Daicos (34 disposals, three goals) inspired Collingwood as the Eagles fell to a 13.14 (92) to 12.10 (82) defeat.

There was plenty to like for Waalitj Marawar, including the impressive form of Bailey Williams, whose confidence continues to grow leading the ruck. 

Williams finished with 20 disposals, 12 clearances, 28 hit-outs and a goal in an outstanding display, while mature-aged recruit Milan Murdock ended with 22 touches and a goal in a blanketing job on Josh Daicos.

It was another milestone man, Harley Reid, who was out to spoil the occasion from the outset. He claimed the first stoppage of the game after brutally fending off Pendlebury with a trademark move that was reminiscent of what Dustin Martin produced at this ground hundreds of times. 

Reid was everywhere early, although Pendlebury nailed him in a clean bump minutes later. But the 2023 No.1 pick thrived in just his third AFL game at the home of football, continuing his rise to stardom in his 50th.

The game stopped, literally, for a moment at the 10-minute mark of the first quarter, just after Nick Daicos missed a set shot from the pocket. Collingwood supporters held 'SP433' banners above their heads and applauded in their tens of thousands – only the Eagles cheersquad remained seated – genuflecting in front of the man who has played on this ground more than anyone in history.

The Eagles, who have won only three times at the MCG since Dom Sheed led them to the 2018 Grand Final win over the Magpies, weren't overawed by the occasion, despite only three being left from that game.

Collingwood wasted its chances early, kicking 2.6 in the first quarter, including a few missed set shots. With Milan Murdock trailing Josh Daicos everywhere, Nick Daicos had much more freedom and put his foot down in the second quarter with some clinical clearances and an important goal burning through a forward 50 stoppage.

Waalitj Marawar matched the Pies goal for goal until Ed Allan kicked the best goal of his career to date to give the Magpies the momentum into half-time. 

Nick Daicos collected 21 disposals by that stage and registered a whopping nine score involvements. The game really changed when Reuben Ginbey conceded a contentious free kick for putting Nick Daicos down at the top of the goalsquare after the Collingwood star had just been penalised for a push in the back. Daicos converted, then Elliott kicked two mercurial goals from nothing that channelled Peter Daicos, to put the gap in the game. 

But Waalitj Marawar didn't buckle. Instead, it kicked the final three goals of the third quarter to reduce the margin to under two kicks at the final break. Malakai Champion slotted two goals for the term to stand up during Sir Doug Nicholls Round. 

Andrew McQualter's side responded again after Roan Steele kicked the first goal of the final quarter, with Elliot Yeo slotting his third to reduce the margin to nine points. Then, Jobe Shanahan made it a three-point game after taking a pack mark and converting with just over seven minutes left.

But they wouldn't get any closer. Nick Daicos ended the game with a moment of individual brilliance at the Punt Road end, burning off Liam Baker, then cutting inside to snap the matchwinner. 

Daicos finished with 34 disposals, 3.2, seven clearances and 14 score involvements in another best-on-ground performance. 

Then Elliott looked set to put the icing on the cake with a fourth goal from a spot he has terrorised big powerful clubs before at this MCG, but his knee buckled on landing.

The Eagles will return home to take on Essendon in a WA Day eve marquee clash next Sunday evening - the first of three games in a row at Optus Stadium before the bye.

COLLINGWOOD            2.6     6.9     10.12     13.14 (92)
WAALITJ MARAWAR    3.2     5.5       9.7       12.10 (82)

GOALS
Collingwood: Elliott 3, N.Daicos 3, Steele 2, McStay 2, Schultz, Lipinski, Allan
Waalitj Marawar: Yeo 3, Shanahan 2, Champion 2, B.Williams, Waterman, Murdock, Johnston, Hough

BEST
Collingwood: N.Daicos, De Goey, Cameron, Crisp, Elliot, Schultz
Waalitj Marawar: B.Williams, Yeo, McCarthy, Murdock, Reid, Duggan

INJURIES
Collingwood: Moore (hamstring), Elliott (knee), Pendlebury (wrist/hand)
Waalitj Marawar: Nil

Crowd: 90,028 at the MCG