Lions survive Magpies challenge for crucial AFL win

The Brisbane Lions have taken a giant step towards securing a crucial top-two spot after downing Collingwood by 24 points in a pulsating top-of-the-table AFL showdown.

Collingwood, who were without stars Darcy Moore, Jordan De Goey and Nick Daicos, threatened several times to charge home and pull off another trademark come-from-behind victory.

Leading by just 12 points at three-quarter time, Brisbane booted the first four goals of the last term to see off the Magpies' challenge and prevail 19.10 (124) to 15.10 (100) - their sixth-straight victory over Collingwood.

The Lions will finish the round in second on the ladder and can lock in a qualifying final at the Gabba if they account for St Kilda at home next Saturday.

Chris Fagan's team might not need to leave the Gabba, where they have won 11-straight games, until grand final week if they win their first two matches in September.

"Off the back of two six-day turnarounds, off a Perth trip, a pretty special effort by our players," Fagan said.

"We had a couple of blokes off at the end, as did they, but it was was good to win under those circumstances."

Down on form for the past six weeks, Lions star Lachie Neale lifted in an inspired performance to finish with a game-high 31 possessions and gather 10 clearances.

Brisbane's forward line ran riot against a Magpies defence missing Moore, with Charlie Cameron finishing with four goals and setting up several others.

Eric Hipwood and Joe Daniher slotted three goals each, while Cam Rayner stepped up and looked dangerous without the injured Jack Gunston.

Collingwood, who will still take out the minor premiership if they defeat Essendon in the final round next Friday night, have now dropped three of their last four games.

It was the biggest score Collingwood had conceded in almost two seasons under Craig McRae's coaching.

"The last four or five weeks we've just conceded too many goals, too many points," McRae said.

"Number one defensive team of the competition for major parts of the year, but we've lost that mantle.

"We're just not happy with the way we're defending the ground."

Lions utility Callum Ah Chee, who was electric with two first-quarter goals, was subbed out in the third term for veteran Jarryd Lyons after falling hard when he was tunnelled by Magpies defender Nathan Murphy in a marking contest.

Collingwood were forced into using their sub during the second quarter as defender Jakob Ryan's debut finished early with concussion.

Murphy also suffered a heavy knock when he was tunnelled himself by Brisbane forward Cam Rayner and failed to play out the final quarter.

The Lions will likely be forced into multiple changes for their final round match against the Saints as forward Linc McCarthy finished the game with ice on his calf.

Collingwood forward Beau McCreery faces a nervous wait for a potential dangerous tackle on Brisbane defender Darcy Wilmot in the third quarter.