A miraculous goal from Jackson Paine has helped Collingwood snatch a three-point victory over an impressive GWS Giants in the final game of the NAB Cup triple header at Blacktown International Sportspark.
GWS led by six at the break and an early second-half goal to Jonathan Giles had the parochial 7,086 crowd daring to dream of a major upset before the Pies hit back with three quick goals to reclaim the lead midway through the second half.
Dom Tyson cut the margin to three points with a goal in the 13th minute, and when Tom Bugg slotted a 20m set shot the Giants were back in front.
But Paine spoiled the party with a brilliant 50m goal from the boundary line to hand the hosts their second narrow loss of the night after Kevin Sheedy's men went down to the Bulldogs by six points in the opening game.
The win leaves Collingwood on eight competition points after earlier securing a hard-fought 0.4.2 (26) to 0.3.1 (19) victory over the Bulldogs.
Dale Thomas (one goal, 15 disposals) was best on ground while Luke Ball (one goal, 10 touches and Steele Sidebottom (10) also made strong contributions.
Livewire forward Rhys Cooyou (one goal, eight disposals) was a standout for the Giants, while NRL convert Israel Folau failed to get a touch in the match.
Sheedy rested Luke Power, Rhys Palmer, Tom Scully, Callan Ward, Chad Cornes and James McDonald from the third match.
But the home side still started strongly, setting up camp in Collingwood territory for the first five minutes of the contest.
While the Giants were unable to find the target, the Pies scored from their first foray inside-50 when Ball took a strong contested mark and goaled from 30m in the seventh minute.
The hosts hit back with consecutive goals by Adam Tomlinson and Cooyou to open up a surprise seven-point lead midway through the opening half.
GWS GIANTS: 0.2.2, 0.5.2 (32)
COLLINGWOOD: 0.1.2, 0.5.5 (35)
GOALS: GWS GIANTS: Tomlinson, Cooyou, Giles, Tyson, Bugg,
COLLINGWOOD: Ball, Thomas, Ceglar, Young, Paine,
BEST: GWS GIANTS: Cooyou, Giles, Tomlinson,
COLLINGWOOD: Thomas, Ball, Sidebottom
INJURIES: GWS GIANTS: Nil
COLLINGWOOD: Nil
REPORTS: Nil
UMPIRES: McInerney, Mitchell, Elsworthy
CROWD: 7,086 at Blacktown International Sportspark