AFL premiership favourites Collingwood have made another strong statement and turned up the heat on Carlton with a 28-point win over their traditional rivals.
Chasing a circuit-breaker after four losses in five weeks, the Blues were outclassed in Sunday's fiery contest at the MCG.
Magpies captain Darcy Moore starred in defence as his side's spread of contributors and superior pressure told the story in a 13.7 (85) to 7.15 (57) triumph.
Collingwood (9-1) comfortably secured a sixth straight victory that kept them a game clear of their nearest rivals on top of the ladder, while compounding the pressure on Carlton (4-1-5).
Brownlow Medal fancy Nick Daicos had 27 disposals under close attention at stages from Matthew Cotterill and Ed Curnow.
But Daicos will come under scrutiny for a blow to Blake Acres' stomach, which will likely attract a financial sanction.
Moore had a game-high 17 intercept possessions and off-season recruit Tom Mitchell completed plenty of grunt work, finishing with 26 disposals, 15 contested possessions and eight clearances.
Jordan De Goey (27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five clearances) and Scott Pendlebury (21 touches, eight tackles) were also important, while Brody Mihocek (four) was the game's leading goal-kicker.
Charlie Curnow kicked three for the Blues and looked dangerous throughout, registering a game-high eight score involvements, while Harry McKay had two majors from his eight disposals.
Fittingly in Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, it was Ash Johnson and Bobby Hill who had Collingwood fans in the 80,354-strong crowd off their seats in the first half.
Hill snared the first goal of the match and celebrated with an Indigenous dance before scorching the turf to set up another major for Mihocek.
The speedster took three bounces down the wing and expertly sold the dummy to Adam Saad, then hit his teammate with a lace-out pass as the Magpies took a 35-point lead to half-time.
Johnson kicked two first-half goals; the second after launching himself onto the shoulders of Marc Pittonet and Mason Cox to pull down a spectacular mark.
Pies star Daicos and inexperienced Blues pair Oliver Hollands and Jordan Boyd all tested their respective coaches' patience, gifting their opposition goals through 50-metre penalties.
Carlton increased their physicality and showed fight in the third quarter, narrowly outscoring the Magpies in that term.
They had a dozen scoring shots to five in the second half but couldn't get closer than 28 points.
Adam Cerra (33 disposals, three clearances), Sam Docherty (34, five) and Sam Walsh (29, four) worked hard against the tide for the Blues.
No.1 ruckman Darcy Cameron was a late inclusion for Collingwood and had nine touches on return from a knee injury.
Johnson was substituted out for Jack Ginnivan during the final term after both players had been in doubt during the week because of illness.