Melbourne face an anxious wait to learn if they will qualify for the AFL finals after suffering a shock 16-point loss to Collingwood on Saturday.
Needing a win to confirm the end of an 11-year wait for finals football, the Demons lost 14.15 (99) to 12.11 (83) to Nathan Buckley’s Magpies.
Brayden Maynard was a revelation in Collingwood’s midfield, Taylor Adams put in a strong shift and Jamie Elliott kicked three goals.
Melbourne were lacklustre for most of the afternoon but came alive at the death with seven of the last nine goals.
With luckless forward Jesse Hogan sidelined again with a hamstring issue, the Demons were unable to reel in the strong-starting Magpies and now lose control of their finals fate.
They must hope either Essendon or West Coast lose on Sunday — and St Kilda fail to win by 100 points — to play in September.
But on the evidence of the first three quarters, Simon Goodwin’s side wouldn’t last long.
Collingwood slammed on six first-quarter goals to one for their best opening term of the season.
Josh Daicos kicked his first AFL goal as the Magpies ran rings around their higher-ranked opponents.
Two mark of the season contenders from Jeremy Howe and Elliott before another goal showed the difference in vitality between the sides.
In a damning indictment of their effort, it took Melbourne 11 minutes to lay their first tackle.
Jeff Garlett started Melbourne’s engine after the break, finishing a flowing move to announce their arrival in the match but their momentum stalled with a string of behinds.
Elliott made the Demons pay with a stunning snap, maintaining Collingwood’s control.
Their lead peaked at 42 points in the third term before four straight majors gave Melbourne a glimmer of hope.
Their late charge continued, with Cam Pedersen putting the Demons remarkably within eight points with 10 minutes remaining.
Will Hoskin-Elliott slammed the door shut with the final goal of the game after a madcap goal scramble.
As Melbourne wait to learn if their season is over, Collingwood’s attention will turn to Buckley’s future.
The Magpies legend is out of contract as coach, with the club’s board to decide his fate within days.
