Adelaide went down to Collingwood by 34 points at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
The Crows started well, with the Magpies forced to withstand the hosts' excellent early pressure, before the Magpies did just that, booting 10 second-half goals to four to record a 16.12 (108) to 11.8 (74) victory.
Both sides had their moments in a hard-fought first term which was highlighted by Crows great Taylor Walker slotting goal No.700 of his illustrious career.
But he didn't remain on 700 for long, bringing up his second and third of the night either side of quarter-time as the Crows got out to a 27-point lead.
Adelaide's frenetic pressure allowed its talls at either end to assert themselves on the contest, forcing Collingwood coach Craig McRae to switch things up ahead of the ball.
McRae sent aerialist Jeremy Howe forward and it worked to immediate effect, the veteran booting one of three late Collingwood goals to cut the margin to eight points at the main break.
A second miraculous snap goal to Dan McStay sent a hush over the Adelaide Oval on the stroke of half-time, with the home side's prior dominance having evaporated.
Minutes after missing an opportunity to put the Magpies ahead early in the third, young forward Harvey Harrison dribbled one home to make amends.
Not to be outdone by the earlier brilliance of McStay in the same south-eastern pocket, Angus Anderson somehow split the middle from an impossible angle to extend Collingwood's lead to 14.
Further adding to the highlight reel, a clever piece of work on the goal line from Walker kept the ball in play and allowed Ben Keays to goal in his 150th consecutive game in the tri-colours, but it was all black and white from then on.
Instrumental in Collingwood's mid-game resurrection, Nick Daicos (39 disposals, 10 score involvements) booted the opening goal of the final term from long range, capitalising on an inspirational chase-down tackle from teammate Dan Houston and setting the stage for a Magpie avalanche.
Two final-term goals apiece to Tim Membrey and Ed Allen helped put the finishing touches on a terrific Collingwood victory and one which sets them up for a launch into September.
Adelaide midfielder Sam Berry continued his breakout season with another excellent performance, finishing with 30 disposals, 17 contested possessions and 10 clearances.
SCOREBOARD
ADELAIDE 5.3 7.6 9.6 11.8 (74)
COLLINGWOOD 3.2 6.4 10.8 16.12 (108)
GOALS
Adelaide: Walker 3, Thilthorpe 3, Dawson, Maley, Rachele, Keays, T.Murray
Collingwood: McStay 2, Allen 2, Membrey 2, Long, Lipinski, Pendlebury, Howe, Sidebottom, Harrison, Anderson, De Goey, N.Daicos, McCreery
BEST
Adelaide: Berry, Rankine, Curtin, Milera, Dawson, Walker
Collingwood: Cameron, N.Daicos, McStay, Pendlebury, Quaynor, Sidebottom
INJURIES
Adelaide: Nil
Collingwood: Maynard (TBC)
