Collingwood continue to show their ability to adapt and overcome, holding off a strong challenge from the Western Bulldogs to stay top in the AFL.
With their leading goalkicker Brody Mihocek and defender Brayden Maynard injured, the Magpies were 22 points behind in the second term of Friday night's Marvel Stadium blockbuster.
But they kicked clear in the third term and weathered the Bulldogs' late comeback to win by 12 points.
"Every opposition is difficult to beat and they throw different things at you," said coach Craig McRae.
"You have to adapt and evolve - that's probably the best thing out of tonight. Whatever is thrown at us, we have the ability to adjust in-game and then get the game how we want it to look."
As Scott Pendlebury set the all-time record for the most disposals by an AFL player, young gun Nick Daicos again showed why he is the Brownlow Medal favourite with a best-afield performance.
McRae noted that Collingwood are winning despite constant injuries, with Will Hoskin-Elliott suffering a broken hand against the Bullldogs.
He will need surgery and could be sidelined for a month.
"It's just never happened - we haven't had our best 22 all year," McRae said.
"So every time you think 'this (player) magnet's back', you lose another."
McRae added the Magpies will be busy in the trade period after this season, saying the building of their list is far from complete.
"We're not going to stand still on this. Right now, we're seeing what we need and there are still holes, we have many," he said.
"We're not finished."
More immediately, McRae wants Collingwood to keep banking wins as they work through a challenging block of games in the depths of winter.
"Time's running out and it's cold and wintery ... it's time to get your hands dirty," he said.
"We've set our sights on this four-week block in particular."
