MELBOURNE hasprolonged Collingwood's mid-season from hell, inflicting the Pies'sixth straight defeat to push Nathan Buckley's side even furtheraway from finals contention.
Bernie Vince dominatedwith 30 disposals and three goals to drive the Demons to a 13.13 (91) to 7.12(54) win.
The 37-point win isthe Demons' sixth for the season, and will restore confidence in the club'ssupporters after their heavy loss to the rebuilding St Kilda a week ago.
Melbourne coach Paul Roos was proudof his side's response after such a poor showing against the Saints.
"It's good for us to get somereward and play some young kids and get some good habits, and [we were] wellled by the leaders, which makes a big difference," Roos said.
"There were some real positivesigns. It wasn't like they were playing that poorly.
"They came back a couple oftimes and to finish off the game really well was a big positive."
Whilethe Demons are off the hook for the time being, questions about where the Magpies are at are sure to come thick and fast this week after they succumbed to ateam that won't play finals this year.
Seven weeks ago,the Pies were entrenched in the top eight and looked September bound afterwinning eight from 11 games.
Saturday's loss –which came after the Pies failed to kick a goal in the final quarter – leavesthem a game-and-a-half adrift of eighth-placed Geelong.
Collingwood'sforward line struggled, with the decision to start Jamie Elliott in the greenvest in his first game in three weeks surprising.
Travis Cloke, whokicked seven goals last time the sides met, didn't play because of a calfinjury and Jesse White was dropped after indifferent form.
It saw youngsterDarcy Moore stationed as the focal point, but Demons defender Tom McDonaldensured Moore didn't replicate last week's bag of five.
Alex Fasolo becamethe Pies' target when it became obvious Moore was being curtailed, and whilethe small forward marked strongly and kicked three goals, he was nullified byNeville Jetta after half-time.
Afterwards,Buckley backed the decision to start Elliott as the substitute, but admitted itdidn't pay dividends with the small forward goalless with eight touches in a quarterand a half.
"Therewas two options; either have 'Billy' go through a five or six kilometre sessionaway from the game to get the progression to get him back to full fitness, orthere was the option today," Buckley said.
"Worstcase scenario, he comes on and plays 75 per cent of game time.
"Itwas clearly pretty beneficial to have a sub we know we can inject to providelegs through the middle or forward.
"Itwasn't to be but that will work well for 'Billy' going forward."
Demons captainNathan Jones racked up 26 possessions and his side benefited from three goalsto Jesse Hogan and two from Jeff Garlett, while the influence of Max Gawn washuge.
The Dees' ruckmanlooked shot at three-quarter time after chasing around Pies pair Brodie Grundyand Jarrod Witts throughout.
But he ended with32 hit-outs, 14 of which were in the centre, and won 17 possessions; more thanboth Grundy (10) and Witts (11).
Pies fans sawMatthew Scharenberg for the first time after he was a late inclusion for TysonGoldsack, who tweaked a quad in the warm-up.
The first-rounddraft pick looked right at home at AFL level after a quiet first quarter andended with 16 touches across half-back, after being given 30 minutes' notice of his call up.
Goldsackcomplained of a tight quad, which will be assessed further on Sunday.
Skipper ScottPendlebury collected 24 in a head-to-head battle with Vince and Dane Swan had 36 in what Buckleydescribed as the Pies' only four-quarter performance.
After doubts wereraised this week about how much the Demons have improved under Roos, thesituation suddenly looks a little better.
And, with ChristianPetracca and Jack Trengove to come back in next season, things might not be sobleak for the Demons after all.
COLLINGWOOD 1.4 4.6 7.10 7.12 (54)
MELBOURNE 4.4 6.5 9.6 13.13 (91)
GOALS
Collingwood: Fasolo 3, Pendlebury, Varcoe, Witts,Adams
Melbourne: Vince 3, Hogan 3, Garlett 2,Vandenberg, Watts, Harmes, Jones, Howe
BEST
Collingwood: Swan, Adams, Sidebottom,Scharenberg, Langdon
Melbourne: Vince, Jones, Gawn, Viney, Garland,Watts, Cross
INJURIES
Collingwood: Goldsack (tight quad), replaced in selected side byScharenberg
Melbourne: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Jamie Elliott replaced Paul Seedsmanin the third quarter.
Melbourne: James Harmes replaced Viv Michie inthe third quarter.
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Donlon, Kamolins, Jeffery
Official crowd: 37,894 at the MCG.
