Michael Sellwood was the unlikely hero with a match-saving mark in defence as the Western Bulldogs boosted their AFL finals hopes with a tense four-point win over Collingwood.
The Bulldogs trailed only briefly in the early stages and resisted repeated challenges from their opponents in a 14.13 (97) to 13.15 (93) victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.
A gripping contest hung in the balance in the final minute when Magpies ruckman Darcy Cameron hurried a high kick forward, which Sellwood flew at from the side of a pack and took a brilliant mark.
Bulldogs ruckman Tim English, on return from concussion, followed up by marking Sellwood's clearing kick at half-back and Luke Beveridge's side hung on.
Matt Kennedy (29 touches), Ed Richards (24) and Ryley Sanders (28) shone for the Dogs, while Marcus Bontempelli (22 disposals, nine clearances) starred for three quarters before he was blunted by Angus Anderson late.
First-year key forward Will Lewis kicked three crucial goals, including the Dogs' last of the match, while Richards, English and Lachlan McNeill kicked two each.
The result lifted the Bulldogs (7-5) to seventh and left Collingwood (5-6-1) in danger of slipping out of the top 10 by the end of the round.
The Magpies' loss came despite the efforts of explosive midfielder Jordan De Goey, who was best afield with 30 disposals, 19 score involvements and one goal.
Nick Daicos (37 touches) and veteran Scott Pendlebury (33) - one week after breaking the all-time AFL/VFL games record - were also strong contributors for the Pies.
Tim Membrey kicked three goals, with Lachie Schultz and Anderson adding two each.
The Bulldogs had early ascendancy and kicked four of the first five goals, with Arthur Jones dangerous at ground level in attack.
They led by seven points at quarter-time and extended the margin to 17 by the main break.
It could, perhaps should, have been greater as the Dogs dominated the clearance (25-14) and inside-50 (32-18) counts to that point.
They were also denied a free kick seconds before the siren when Bontempelli was taken out by Brayden Maynard when running on to a loose ball in front of goal.
Collingwood slashed the margin to one straight kick midway through the third term, but the Dogs responded with three majors in six minutes to keep them at bay, leading by 24 points not long before three-quarter time.
The Pies lifted again, kicking the next three goals, and had a chance to tie the scores early in the final term when Schultz pushed a set shot wide.
A rollicking last quarter went down to the wire.
Lewis pounced to give the Dogs a 10-point lead, before Membrey gave Collingwood a sniff with his third goal with 85 seconds left on the clock.