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Collingwood is set to lose Brody Mihocek for the remainder of the season after the key forward suffered a suspected pectoral muscle tear in the Magpies' 12-point loss to Essendon at the MCG.
Mihocek was injured during the final quarter and came from the field on Friday night.
He will have scans on Saturday.
"Brody looks like he is going to need surgery," Magpies coach Craig McRae told his post-match media conference.
"He'll most likely be out for the season."
Meanwhile, the Magpies' injury woes may worsen after ruckman Darcy Cameron left the MCG in an ambulance after the match to undergo a precautionary scan on his ribs.
A dominant third quarter paves the way for the Bombers' in their two-goal victory over the Magpies.(AAP: James Ross)
Essendon's win over the reigning premiers gave its top-four aspirations a major boost.
Having entered the match without a victory against a current top-eight team this season, the Bombers recovered from a slow start to win 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80).
Not since 2001 have the Bombers finished the home-and-away season inside the top four.
They are a step closer after moving to provisional third spot on the ladder following their defeat of the Magpies.
"Probably later in the season the wins seen more important, but I thought it was more just a step forward," Bombers coach Brad Scott said.
"Collingwood have been an exceptional team over a long period of time … and I think it's a pretty good yardstick in terms of the improvement.
"Have we proven anything? I wouldn't think so. We've just taken another step forward towards it."
Collingwood star Nick Daicos (left) attempts to get away from Essendon's Dylan Shiel.(Getty Images: Quinn Rooney)
Collingwood raced out of the blocks with five goals to two in the opening quarter, including three in as many minutes from a red-hot Jack Crisp.
But the Magpies managed just three more for the next two quarters as Essendon charged ahead to grab a match-winning lead.
The Bombers led at the final change by 17 points, a deficit the Magpies have traditionally loved chasing down.
Quick goals to Matt Guelfi and Jye Caldwell extended Essendon's lead to 31 points as Collingwood appeared to have nothing left for a comeback.
The Magpies were able to give Essendon a minor scare after scoring quickly through Harvey Harrison and Mihocek.
But the Bombers were able to close out the match, making it the second straight match the Magpies have been unable to run over their opponents in the final quarter after losing to Gold Coast last Saturday.
Captain Zach Merrett (30 disposals, one goal) and fellow midfielder Caldwell (30 disposals and one goal) led from the front, while ruckman Sam Draper responded strongly following a poor first quarter.
Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos managed 31 disposals and 12 clearances, with Essendon only paying attention to the Brownlow Medal favourite around stoppages and refusing to apply a heavy tag.
The result provided some revenge for Essendon, who drew with Collingwood on Anzac Day and had recorded some heartbreaking last-gasp defeats against the Magpies during the past three seasons.
After a barren last two decades, Essendon fans can start dreaming of breaking their 20-year drought without a finals win this September.
They have lost six elimination finals since 2009.
The Magpies could drop out of the top eight by the end of the round, depending on other results, ahead of a crucial match with Geelong next Friday night.
AAP/ABC
Look back at how the match unfolded in our blog.
Thanks for joining us!
That's where we will leave you tonight after an enthralling contest at the MCG.
The Bombers continue to give their fans hopes of a return to the finals following their 12-point triumph, while the Magpies faithful are left to reflect on a second straight loss.
We're only one match down in round 17, so make sure to follow our coverage on Saturday as we take you through the following (all times AEST):
Kangaroos vs Suns at Docklands from 1:45pm
Power vs Bulldogs at Adelaide Oval from 1:45pm
Cats vs Hawks at Kardinia Park from 4:35pm
Giants vs Blues at Homebush from 7:30pm
Dockers vs Tigers at Perth Stadium from 8:10pm
Some great matches to look forward to and we hope you can join us again.
Bye for now!
Hats off to Zach Merrett!
How did the Bombers do it?
The Bombers trailed by eight points at half-time but a dominant third quarter saw Brad Scott's troops take the lead, which they didn't relinquish.
They kicked four unanswered goals in the third term to help establish a 17-point buffer on the scoreboard heading into the final quarter.
The Magpies lifted after three-quarter time with four goals, but the damage had already been done and the Bombers held on to claim the win.
Zach Merrett was immense for the Bombers, posting 30 disposals, six marks and five clearances, in addition to kicking the first goal of the match.
Teammate Jye Caldwell was just as busy, racking up 30 touches, six marks and kicking a goal.
Kyle Langford and Peter Wright did their part for the Bombers on the goal front, each snagging doubles for the evening.
BOMBERS WIN!
The Bombers got past the Magpies to move to third on the ladder (AAP)
Despite the Magpies launching a late effort, the Bombers post a deserved 12-point victory!
For the record, the Bombers won 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80).
We're only one match down in round 17, but the Bombers' victory moves them to provisional third spot on the ladder.
They shift places with Fremantle, but the Dockers are still to play this round.
For the Magpies, that's two straight losses and they will need results to go their way if they are to avoid slipping from sixth place on the ladder.
Bombers' lead cut to two goals
Under two minutes remaining and a rushed behind gets the Magpies a little bit closer, trailing the Bombers by 12 points.
Again, can they do it?
Kreuger again!
Magpie Nathan Kreuger kicks his second goal of the final term in the shadows of full-time.
Under three minutes and it's the Bombers leading by 13 points.
Can the Magpies do it?
Bombers activate sub late in the term
The Bombers bring on some fresh legs, with sub Nick Hind coming into the match and Nate Caddy given an early mark.
They lead by 19 points with just over three minutes remaining in the match.
Another goal for the Magpies!
The Magpies are far from out of this match, with Nathan Kreuger kicking a goal with just under eight minutes on the clock.
Bombers lead by 19 points but another Magpies goal will make it interesting!
Mihocek gets one back for the Pies
After the ARC was called into action to judge whether Brody Mihocek had marked the ball on the line, the Magpies sharpshooter got the chance to help claw his side back into contest.
Mihocek went around the corner from a tight angle to kick the Magpies' 10th goal of the match as we near the halfway point of the final term.
Bombers come up with perfect reply
Just as Magpies fans were building up their hopes, Peter Wright replies to Harvey Harrison's goal with one of his own.
Wright marks on the lead and slots the set-shot to put the Bombers back out to a 31-point buffer.
That's two goals to Wright in the second half.
Magpies find a response
We asked the question could the Magpies fight back, and Harvey Harrison is doing his best for the defending premiers.
A long-range effort gives Harrison his second of the match, as the Magpies reduce the Bombers' advantage to 25 points.
Are the Bombers home?
Six minutes down in the fourth term and it's the Bombers leading by 31 points.
It's always reckless to write the Magpies off when they trail in the final quarter but is this a bridge too far tonight?
Time will tell.
Bombers gather more steam
Six straight goals for the Bombers, as Jye Caldwell backs up Guelfi's effort with a set-shot major.
Bombers now lead by 29 points.
Bombers build their lead
It took under a minute, but the Bombers land the first blow of the fourth quarter after forcing a turnover inside the Magpies' defensive 50.
Matt Guelfi snaps the Bombers' 11th goal of the match, showing calm nerves as he collected his first major.
Final quarter underway
It's hardly a match-winning lead, but the Bombers are feeling confident as they hold a 17-point advantage over the Magpies.
But the Pies know better than any team how to clutch victory from the jaws of defeat, so only a fool would write off the defending premiers.
Here we go with the final term!
3QT: Bombers establish 17-point lead
What a term from the Bombers, who lead 10.12 (72) to 8.7 (55) at the final change.
The Bombers took command of the third quarter, kicking four unanswered goals after trailing the Magpies by eight points at half-time.
Still plenty left in this match!
Langford adds to Bombers' advantage
Just over a minute from three-quarter time, Kyle Langford kicks his second goal of the evening.
Langford got a free close to goal and he converted to extend the Bombers' lead to 18 points.
Pies activate the sub
Late in the third term, the Magpies have made a tactical substitution, with Ned Long replacing Charlie Dean.
Congratulations to Long, as he makes his AFL debut.
Bombers extend lead through Duursma
After a bit of lull on the scoring front, Xavier Duursma breaks through to put the Bombers out to a 13-point lead.
Duursma had space around him when he marked from a short pass inside the attacking 50, before kicking a set-shot goal as we approach three-quarter time.
Bombers still lead ahead of final change
There hasn't been a goal kicked since Peter Wright was on target earlier in the quarter, with the exchange of behinds the only addition to the score.
With six minutes left in the term, it's the Bombers leading by seven points, but it's still anyone's game at this stage.
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