Collingwood has put the rest of the competition on notice after dismantling Melbourne by a comprehensive 42 points in front of a record crowd of 83,518 for the annual Queen's Birthday clash.
The numbers were just as impressive for Neale Daniher's FightMND campaign, with Big Freeze 4 raising in excess of $6 million, with the Federal Government pledging a further $2 million to the cause.
Mason Cox led the Magpies' charge with a career-high five goals and claimed the Neale Daniher Trophy for his efforts, while Will Hoskin-Elliott and Jaidyn Stephenson were just as damaging with four goals apiece.
Although Tom McDonald finished with six majors, his efforts were to no avail as the midfield might of Steele Sidebottom (32 disposals), Adam Treloar (32) and Jordan De Goey (30) tore the Melbourne centre to shreds.
It was the Magpies who acclimatised to the momentous occasion best, putting together their most impressive opening quarter for the year, finishing with figures of 5.5.
De Goey was absolutely on fire in the first term, racking up an impressive 10 touches, six inside 50s and two goal assists, and lived up to the breakneck speed of the game.
Right from the get-go, the 22-year-old made his impact with two rapid entries into Collingwood's forward line, the latter of which resulted in Mason Cox drawing first blood with a smooth set shot.
Although Melbourne brought the aggression and attack - with a steely Clayton Oliver tackle paving the may for Melbourne's first through Mitch Hannan - the Magpies found themselves on top thanks to their increased ferocity and speed around the contest.
Leading the tackle count 16-27 and clearances 8-13 - despite the impressive rucking of Max Gawn - the Pies' early pressure continued to stifle their opposition as they piled on the next four.
As De Goey continued to rack up disposals and penetrate the forward 50, the dynamic Pie similarly showed his craft, pulling off a mid-air handball to put Jaidyn Stephenson on the board.
With Will Hoskin-Elliott continuing his perfect goal-a-game record for season 2018 and Cox adding his second the scoresheet with a classy stoppage snap, it would take some more De Goey brilliance to make it five Collingwood goals for the quarter, with Josh Thomas the final benefactor.
Needing to find a spark, a brave smother from Joel Smith at centre-half back paved the way for a Tom McDonald major, as the Demons began to find their feet.
The quarter ended prematurely for the Dees, who finished the term 23 points down.
Yet the siren did little to break Melbourne's momentum, who came out firing in the second quarter with the first two majors courtesy of James Harmes and Hannan.
With the Melbourne forwards getting their hands on the ball more often - with 10 inside 50s registered for the term - the Dees' intensity sharpened as Bayley Fritsch capitalised soon after on the scoreboard.
Armed with a sense of electricity, Melbourne's newfound buzz was exemplified best by Charlie Spargo's quarter, with the first-year Demon racking up nine touches for the term and putting plenty of pressure on the Pies' defenders.
Although Scott Pendlebury restored the faith with a timeless snap on his left foot, another Melbourne major - this time through Alex Neal-Bullen - brought the margin back to single figures as the jam-packed MCG crowd got even louder.
All of Melbourne's first three goals came as a result of turnovers, sending alarm bells ringing through the Collingwood coaching box.
Melbourne's resurgence wasn't the only bad news for the Magpies, with Daniel Wells limping off the field after a suspected ankle injury.
The veteran however miraculously returned to the field in the third quarter, finishing off his day -albeit it being a quiet one - with eight disposals.
With Wells off the field, De Goey continued to shine through the midfield, racking up another inside 50 with a perfectly weighted kick to give Stephenson his second.
Showing no sign of slowing down, another blistering link-up passage of play along the wing headed by De Goey and Adam Treloar directly set up another Hoskin-Elliott goal to extend the Pies' lead.
Although Gawn overcame his set shot demons and duly converted moments later, Melbourne nonetheless began to tire, allowing the energetic Stephenson to pounce and gift Thomas yet another goal to put the Magpies up by 19 at half-time.
It was the third quarter which brought the bulk of the excitement, with both sides kicking a combined 11 majors to raise the stakes even higher.
The tall timber for the Magpies and Demons would be the most crucial for the term, with Cox securing two handy goals while McDonald was explosive with three of Melbourne's four majors.
Brodie Grundy was also prolific in the ruck contests, finishing with 38 hit-outs, outnumbering that of his opponent in Gawn, who ended with 33.
Cox and McDonald exchanged goals with faultless marks and set shots to open the term, yet Thomas showed they could be kicked on the run with a superb ping from the left flank.
Although miraculous, Stephenson decided to do one better and reclaim the spotlight, jagging an incredible major while lying on his back in the goal square.
While Stephenson's work and ground level drew commendation, Taylor Adams' resulted in an absolute outcry from the Collingwood faithful.
Adams' diving spoil along the ground to knock the ball forward was deemed as contact below the knees after he collided with Smith; the contentious decision resulting in a Jack Viney major just moments later.
As two more McDonald majors sandwiched Hoskin-Elliott's third, the Demons could sense an opportunity to stage a remarkable comeback, with the margin resting at just 16 points.
But some more stoppage brilliance from the Magpies nullified any such hopes for Melbourne, with Cox's fourth and a Brody Mihocek goal after the siren put Collingwood 30 points up with one riveting quarter left to play.
Ultimately, the Demons' aggressive tack on the football couldn't last, with the ferocious Magpies swarming all over their opposition, forcing them to kick wide and subsequently turn the ball over.
Cox continued to inflict more on the Dees as he booted his fifth following yet another mark and set shot, with his bag being the biggest of the American's career.
As Melbourne's intensity and pace continued to lessen, the Magpies kept up their pressure-laden surge, stacking on goal after goal to great effect.
It seemed as if nothing could go wrong for the Magpies, as an bewildering banana of the boot of Adams blew the margin out to a game-high 41 points.
Although McDonald's fifth and then sixth interrupted Collingwood's proceedings, Treloar, Hoskin-Elliott and Stephenson piled on another three majors to completely obliterate Melbourne's confidence.
A final Oliver major cut the margin down to 42 points, with the Magpies firming towards a scintillating September berth.
Both Melbourne and Collingwood will have a chance to rest their weary legs with their allocated bye next week, before heading into must-win clashes against Port Adelaide and Carlton respectively.
MELBOURNE 2.0 7.2 11.5 14.7 (91)
COLLINGWOOD 5.5 9.9 15.11 20.13 (133)
GOALS
Melbourne: T. McDonald 6, Hannan 2, Harmes, Fritsch, Viney, Neal-Bullen, Oliver, Gawn
Collingwood: Cox 5, Stephenson 4, Hoskin-Elliott 4, Thomas 3, Adams, Mihocek, Pendlebury, Treloar
BEST
Melbourne: T. McDonald, Lewis, Oliver, Gawn, Jones, Hannan, Spargo
Collingwood: Cox, Stephenson, Hoskin-Elliott, Sidebottom, De Goey, Treloar, Grundy
INJURIES
Melbourne: O. McDonald (concussion)
Collingwood: Wells (ankle)
TALKING POINTS
1. BIG FREEZE 4 BRINGS IN MORE
A sea of blue beanies across the MCG, a record crowd of 83,518 and over $6 million raised for FightMND - Big Freeze 4 was undoubtedly another monumental success.
It all kicked off with the 18 coaches all going down the slide before plunging into the icy cold waters, and wasn't it a sight to behold.
From Chazz Michael Michaels, to jockeys to pandas, the sliders certainly brought their A-game, with their incredible showing of unity - in particular from game day coaches Simon Goodwin and Nathan Buckley - helping raise much-needed funds for such a worthy cause.
But it all wouldn't have been possible without Neale Daniher, whose selflessness and courage in the face of adversity has seen the Queen's Birthday clash evolve into something more than just a rivalry between two clubs.
A true inspiration and an undisputed champion - Neale Daniher, we salute you.
2. COLLINGWOOD AS DANGEROUS AS EVER
Get out the calendars Magpie fans and book out September - the finals are looking more and more likely with each passing week.
There's no doubt Melbourne have been on fire, registering six consecutive matches above 100 points and earning a top-four spot as a reward.
But Collingwood outplayed the Demons in every area, with their speed and ferocity around the contest laying the foundation for their dominant display at the 'G.
A firing forward line in which Mason Cox, Jaidyn Stephenson and Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked a combined 13 goals, an attacking defence who were sound all day and a fierce midfield had all the hallmarks of premiership contenders.
Interest in Jordan De Goey would have hit its peak after today's exquisite performance, in which he finished with 30 touches - 21 of which were gathered in the first half - and a whopping 12 inside 50s.
Meanwhile, Brodie Grundy managed to edge out Max Gawn in the much-anticipated ruck battle, winning the hit-out count 33-39 and finishing with 13 touches.
If the Pies are to keep this up, don't rule out a top-four finish.
3. COX SHINES ON THE BIG STAGE
Supporters have often been given just a slice of what the American Pie has to offer, but Mason Cox gave them the whole lot with a superb four quarter game.
Arguably the best match in his three-year career, Cox racked up an impressive five majors, 16 possessions, eight marks and nine hit-outs.
Cox has shone in big matches before, with the Texan making his debut on Anzac Day 2016, and famously booted the first goal of the game.
Owning the ground today, Cox was unable to be contained by the Demons' defence and was rewarded for his best on ground performance with the Neale Daniher Trophy.
Big man, massive game.
4. CONTACT BELOW THE KNEES CONTROVERSY
The contact below the knees rule once again reared its head following a controversial incident involving Taylor Adams and Joel Smith in the third term.
In a desperate attempt to knock the ball into the Magpies' forward, Adams fittingly channelled his inner Wayne Harmes and pulled off a massive dive before slapping the ball forward.
The Collingwood crowd roared in amazement before it quickly turned into one of bewilderment, as Adams was penalised for making contact from the incoming Joel Smith after the footy had been knocked away.
Wrong call or not, the small passage of play is likely to bring about big debate throughout the week.
5. UNLUCKY SEVENS FOR THE DEES
After six straight wins, Melbourne weren't unable to notch up a seventh consecutive win following their dismantling at the hands of the Magpies.
Unable to contend with the aggression and pace of their opposition for the entire game, the Demons were unable to hold onto their top-four position, sliding down to fifth on the ladder.
It wasn't just the end of the Demons' winning streak, with star forward Jesse Hogan kept goalless, bringing an end to his 2018 goal-a-game record.
Will Hoskin-Elliott remains the only player this season to register at least one major per match.
A step back today, but a victory over Port Adelaide in a fortnight's time should have them back on track in no time.
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