Hot Pies smash poor Power
Collingwood have opened their AFL premiership defence with a 75-point belting of Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium.
The Power rallied to trail by less than three goals in the third term, but the Magpies then turned it on to stroll home 24.11 (155) to 12.8 (80).
Defender Ben Johnson and midfielder Dane Swan starred for the Magpies and Chris Dawes kicked four goals.
Matt Thomas was Port's best with 27 disposals and three goals, while key forward Justin Westhoff also kicked four goals.
The Power made a promising start and led by a point midway through the first term before the 'Pies clicked into gear.
Collingwood kicked the last three goals of the quarter as midfielder Luke Ball had an incredible eight tackles for the term.
They then smashed the Power, kicking another seven unanswered goals through the second quarter for a 58-point lead.
Port somehow scratched out two goals approaching half-time, but they were completely against the flow of play.
Collingwood led by 45 points at the main break and they appeared certain to keep building on that in the second half.
Adding to Port's problems, key forward Jay Schulz was stretchered off in the second term when he hurt his right knee in a tackle.
Robbie Gray also limped off, but he returned in the second half.
But the Power responded impressively in the third term, winning much more of the ball through the centre.
They went on their own scoring spree, kicking six goals to one and trailing by only 16 points.
But goals to Andrew Krakouer and Dayne Beams stopped their challenge cold.
Collingwood kicked another two goals to end the quarter with a decisive 42-point lead and cruised home in the final term.
