Collingwood has produced yet another stunning final-quarter surge to down Adelaide by one point and rise to top of the ladder.
In Sunday's earlier matches, Geelong made it four straight wins with a 28-point defeat of Essendon at the MCG, while Gold Coast upset Richmond with a four-goal triumph.
The Magpies trailed by 22 points two minutes into the final term of a twilight thriller at Adelaide Oval.
But veteran Steele Sidebottom scored a behind with 25 seconds remaining to snatch an amazing 8.11 (59) to 7.16 (58) victory.
The Magpies kicked the last three goals of the match and are now the sole team boasting six wins from seven matches.
The Crows tumble from fifth to eighth as their four-match winning streak came to a heartbreaking end amid wayward goalkicking.
Collingwood's Josh Daicos collected a match-high 31 disposals, while his brother and Brownlow medal favourite Nick was relatively subdued by a Ben Keays tag, yet still had 26 touches.
Magpie recruit Tom Mitchell (29 disposals), Jordan De Goey (24) and Sidebottom (24) were busy and Brodie Mihocek kicked three goals.
Adelaide's Rory Laird (29 disposals), captain Jordan Dawson (30) and Jake Soligo (24) were midfield stand-outs, with Tom Doedee (24) stellar in defence.
The Crows led 3.6 to 0.2 at quarter-time after blowing a series of set shots as the Magpies lost Nathan Krueger to a knee injury.
The home side's attacking waste continued in the second term. They led 3.10 to 0.2 before the Magpies struck with two Mihocek goals reducing their margin to six points at half-time.
The Crows' lead shrunk to one point 10 minutes into the third term, but they then made some headway. Winger Chayce Jones slotted a 50-metre set shot, helping his side to hold a 16-point buffer at three quarter-time, 6.15 to 5.5.
Jones slotted another in the second minute of the final quarter to extend the Crows' lead to 22 points.
But Ash Johnson responded within a minute to begin a trademark Magpie late rush, with Josh Daicos and John Noble scoring majors before veteran Sidebottom logged the match-winning behind from a set shot.
Hawkins stars in Cats' win
Tom Hawkins helped Geelong produced its most impressive performance since last year's grand final in a convincing win over Essendon.
Veteran forward Hawkins kicked four goals in the Cats' devastating 38-0 opening surge and finished with a career-best haul of eight in the 20.12 (132) to 16.8 (104) victory.
Patrick Dangerfield (26 disposals, 10 clearances, 14 inside-50s) starred for the Cats and Jeremy Cameron added three goals to reclaim a share of top spot in the Coleman Medal race.
Tom Stewart (26 disposals), Gryan Miers (24) and Isaac Smith (19) also contributed as the reigning premiers flexed their considerable muscle against the improved Bombers.
Essendon's Jake Stringer (26 disposals, 11 clearances, four goals) put in his best display for some time, Sam Weideman added a career-best five majors and Darcy Parish (38 disposals, nine clearances) was busy.
Stringer dragged the Bombers back within 23 points during the third quarter with his fourth goal but the ruthless Cats were too strong.
Hawkins has built into the season after undergoing foot surgery and has tallied 19 goals during Geelong's (4-3) four-match winning streak, which has put the Cats on the positive side of the ledger for the first time this year.
The result continued the Cats' recent dominance over Essendon, their five-straight wins coming by an average margin of 47 points.
It also gave Chris Scott a 9-5 win-loss advantage over twin brother Brad in head-to-head battles.
Suns upset Tigers
Gold Coast scored a crucial upset win over Richmond, putting the Tigers' season on the brink.
The Suns broke clear in the third term of a dour struggle at Docklands and then held off Richmond's final-quarter rally for their third win of the season, 11.6 (72) to 6.12 (48).
It is the Suns' third straight win over the Tigers, who are in major strife with a 1-5-1 win-loss-draw record.
At eight minutes into the last term, Richmond had managed only four goals.
The Tigers banged through two goals to reduce the margin to 15 points.
Richmond ruckman Ivan Soldo then took a mark within range of goal halfway through the quarter.
He elected to pass off and it went astray, with Ben Ainsworth goalling at the other end two minutes later.
Suns key forward Ben King shone with four goals and Nick Holman was also outstanding in attack, while Noah Anderson had 32 disposals.
After a scrappy and dour first half, Gold Coast busted the match open in the third with six goals to two.
Holman was rewarded for his excellent work rate with two goals, including the last of the term after a great mark.
King also kicked two goals and was gifted the second when young Tigers defender Tyler Young clumsily tried to push him out of a marking contest.
The numbers at half-time had told the story: Gold Coast was dominating the inside 50s 31-20, but had managed only 4.2.
Meanwhile, Richmond trailed by five points after spraying 2.9 under the roof.
There were a few highlights among the scrappy play, with Holman relentless in his pressure.
Young Tigers forward Samson Ryan gave his team a badly needed lift early in the second term when he snapped a great goal from a tight angle.
Richmond star Dustin Martin also unleashed his celebrated "don't argue" as he continues to regain form.
But overall in a forgettable first half, Richmond had the look of a side who has won only once this season, while Gold Coast was torching too many promising forays into attack.
Ladder
AAP/ABC
