Collingwood has pulled off another famous last-quarter comeback to beat Port Adelaide by two points in an instant classic on Saturday night.

In other results, the Sydney Swans triumphed over Fremantle in the west, the Brisbane Lions held off Geelong at the Gabba, while Richmond and Carlton enjoyed contrasting wins.

In typical fashion, the Magpies trailed by 17 points at three-quarter-time but stormed home with six goals in the last stanza to pinch another scarcely believable comeback win — 13.7 (85) to 12.11 (83) — and firm up their premiership favouritism.

A brilliant set-shot from Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott on the boundary line — with three minutes remaining — ultimately won his side the contest at Adelaide Oval, settling a frenetic match that featured 11 lead changes and finals-like intensity throughout.

As if another brilliant fightback was ever in doubt, Steele Sidebottom and Josh Daicos goaled in the final term's opening two minutes as the Magpies loomed ominously.

But the Power fired back through Jeremy Finlayson and Sam Powell-Pepper as the competition heavyweights traded haymakers in an absolute epic.

Sidebottom also produced a heroic defensive play, finding a late spoil on the Power's Kane Farrell on what would have given him a regulation set-shot with a minute to play.

It is a continuation of Collingwood's remarkable record of late comebacks, now having won 12 of its last 16 matches when trailing at three-quarter-time.

The Magpies are now two matches clear on top of the ladder and clearly the team to beat heading towards finals, particularly having toppled their nearest foe on their own patch in such impressive fashion.

Magpies star Brayden Maynard asked the Power to "bring their A-game" during the week and they certainly did, out-tackling Collingwood by 16 and winning the inside 50s by 13.

The Power took control of general play in a dominant third term, however they butchered some straightforward chances to leave the Magpies still within touching distance.

But a vital late goal for Jason Horne-Francis after a run-down tackle on Maynard broke the home side 15 points clear.

The Power sent Willem Drew to Collingwood superstar Nick Daicos and the running machine was kept to one of his least influential matches of the season, making a number of uncharacteristic errors in his 25-disposal outing.

But the Magpies' old guard stepped up in a big way, with Scott Pendlebury (28 disposals) and Sidebottom (26 disposals, one goal) looking as smooth as ever in wet conditions.

Power duo Connor Rozee (28 disposals, two goals) and Zak Butters (31) were outstanding, while Powell-Pepper's bruising display suited the conditions.

Franklin helps Swans to victory

Lance Franklin produced a series of special moments in a likely Western Australia farewell to help Sydney post a 29-point victory over Fremantle in Perth.

Franklin booted 3.1 from 11 disposals and played a hand in two other goals as the Swans kept their finals hopes alive with a 16.9 (105) to 12.4 (76) win in front of 42,433 spectators.

The result lifted Sydney from 14th to 12th on the ladder, with last year's grand finalists now just one win adrift of sixth spot.

The Dockers' finals chances have been dashed after slumping to a sixth loss from their past seven matches.

With Franklin expected to retire at season's end, the match was probably his final AFL appearance in his hometown of Perth.

Franklin booted eight goals in his first appearance at Perth Stadium in 2018 and he kicked six goals against Fremantle at the venue in 2021.

Although his performance on Saturday night wasn't as prolific, the 36-year-old played an influential role when the match was on the line.

Sydney forward Will Hayward finished with three goals, including two in the opening term, while midfielder Luke Parker was prominent with 31 disposals, nine tackles and eight clearances.

Fremantle big man Luke Jackson, in the absence of injured ruckman Sean Darcy, finished with 14 disposals and 43 hit-outs.

Caleb Serong tallied 31 disposals and 10 clearances in his return from suspension and Lachie Schultz kicked four goals.

Lions prevail against Cats

The Brisbane Lions survived a late Geelong challenge to post an 11-point win, avoiding an ugly repeat of a week ago.

But they face a nervous wait on star rookie Will Ashcroft, after he hobbled off the ground with a suspected knee injury late in the fourth quarter.

The third-placed Lions put the clamps on the Cats at the Gabba, restricting them to just one goal deep into the third term.

But just as Melbourne did in its last-gasp win over the Lions last week, the defending premier rallied just as all hope looked lost.

Kicking four of the next five goals, Geelong got back within 11 points before the Lions steadied through stand-out Callum Ah Chee to prevail 9.10 (64) to 7.11 (53).

The Lions (13-5) can still catch Port Adelaide in second place, while the Cats' (9-8-1) first loss in five weeks leaves them in a logjam for a spot in the bottom half of the eight.

Ah Chee (23 disposals) did his selection hopes no harm with Zac Bailey (calf) sidelined days after signing a two-year contract extension.

The Lions dominated clearances 49-22 and were supported by Harris Andrews's aerial dominance in defence.

Lincoln McCarthy snapped from a tight angle in the pocket after the quarter-time siren in what was the Cats' first goalless first term since 2015.

It took some Patrick Dangerfield brilliance for the Cats to finally kick a goal late in the second quarter, an awkward mark then booming kick breaking their duck.

Charlie Cameron kicked straight to begin the third term and more good work from Rayner and Ah Chee led to Hipwood and McCarthy goals, helping the Lions lead 51-14.

Tom Hawkins missed from in front but the Cats stayed in the contest with their second and third goals in the shadows of three-quarter time.

Daniher's second goal should have calmed nerves, but Cameron had a quick reply from an errant Dayne Zorko clearance kick and then Oliver Henry squeezed a major through.

Henry hit the post and then Cameron kicked another to make it an 11-point game.

But Ah Chee marked strongly and kicked straight after play resumed following Ashcroft's knee injury to break the Cats' run.

The Cats were not quite done, however, with Tyson Stengle winning a free kick and snapping a major to make it a two-goal game with six minutes to play.

Ah Chee kept popping up to defuse Geelong raids, while Cameron put through a behind with 70 seconds to play in what was the Cats' final fling forward.

Tom Stewart (25 disposals) was arguably Geelong's best and Josh Dunkley (27 disposals) was immense in his comeback from a calf injury for the Lions.

Tigers edge Hawks

Richmond stormed home late in the third quarter to steal a remarkable one-point win over Hawthorn after a Liam Baker goal in the dying stages at the MCG.

The Tigers booted the final six majors of the match, keeping the Hawks goal-less in the fourth quarter in a vital result for their flickering finals chances.

Richmond led early in the second quarter but did not hit the front again until a minute remaining when Baker snapped his second goal to the huge roar of the Tigers faithful.

Hawthorn pushed forward from the next centre clearance, but Richmond was able to thwart the Hawks' attack to prevail 14.12 (96) to 15.5 (95).

After being poor for much of the afternoon, Richmond's stars stepped up as Dustin Martin (two goals, 24 disposals) and Tim Taranto (three goals, 23 disposals) all played crucial roles in the final quarter charge.

Richmond was staring down the barrel of finishing the round as low as 14th had it lost, but the comeback means it has jumped to seventh on the ladder.

The Tigers will likely need to win only three of their remaining five matches to be guaranteed of playing finals, with tricky encounters against the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Port Adelaide following next week's clash with Melbourne.

Sam Mitchell's Hawks shocked the Tigers with a brave and bold style of play, blowing the match open with six straight goals in the second quarter.

It seemed to be Hawthorn's day when Chad Wingard dribbled the ball from near the boundary and it kept rolling through for an unlikely goal in the second quarter.

At the other end, three-time Richmond premiership captain Trent Cotchin missed two shots from inside 15 metres directly in front.

In an added blow for the Hawks after the heartbreaking defeat, they will potentially be without Ned Reeves for next week's match against St Kilda after he was reported for a dangerous tackle (rough conduct) on Ivan Soldo.

The incident appeared to be even more severe than some of the tackles that have led to players being suspended this year under the AFL's crackdown.

Curnow stars in Blues win

A worrying injury toll soured Carlton's provisional return to the top eight and Curnow's day out, as the Blues mauled West Coast by 71 points.

Jack Silvagni (knee) and Sam Walsh (hamstring) were forced off in the first half, a concern ahead of next Friday night's match against Collingwood at the MCG.

Jesse Motlop (calf) was also injured in the 21.14 (140) to 10.9 (69) win over the struggling Eagles at Docklands, while former Carlton player Samo Petrevski-Seton faces likely suspension for a dangerous tackle on Alex Cincotta.

The tackle forced Cincotta off the field, but he returned for the last quarter.

Carlton lost captain Patrick Cripps (cork) and Adam Cerra (hamstring) in the build-up to the Eagles match, while Jack Martin was a late withdrawal on Friday with calf tightness.

The Eagles' awful run with injuries this season also bit again as captain Luke Shuey was substituted out because of another hamstring injury.

Shuey has had a succession of leg injuries this season and only managed nine matches.

Curnow's 10.3 is Carlton's first 10-goal haul since Stephen Kernahan kicked 10.7 against Footscray early in the 1995 season.

It also boosts his chances of winning a second straight Coleman Medal as the league's leading goal kicker.

The signs were good for Curnow when he marked in the opening three minutes.He miscued his kick, but it still dribbled through for the Blues' opening goal.

Curnow was imperious with another three goals in the opening term as Carlton burst to a 51-point lead over hapless West Coast.

After kicking a career-best nine goals against the Eagles in round seven, Curnow continued to torment the West Coast defenders.

Eagles key forward Oscar Allen was moved into defence during the second term, with Curnow kicking another three goals to half-time.

With the Blues up by 83 points late in the second term, the only interest left in the match was whether Curnow could kick 10.

His shot at goal 11 minutes into the last term hit the post but a minute later Curnow dropped a mark, gathered the ball and snapped for his 10th major.

It is the Blues' fifth straight win — all by at least 50 points — to continue their resurgence after the season looked shot for them and they are back in the top eight ahead of the completion of round 19.

AAP/ABC