Collingwood has survived a massive fright against winless Geelong on Friday night to emerge from Kardinia Park with a hard-fought 11-point AFLW win.
The Cats were rank outsiders heading into the contest, but paid little regard to the Magpies' status as one of the premiership favourites.
For the third week in a row Geelong made life very tough for its opponent, but yet again its lack of polish in attack cost them dearly, and when Julia Crockett-Grills gifted Collingwood star Chloe Molloy a goal from a 50-metre penalty, it proved a match-deciding moment.
Three minutes later, Geelong's last chance at a win went up in smoke when Georgie Rankin missed a shot on goal from directly in front, as the more efficient Magpies ran out 5.5 (35) to 3.6 (24) winners to extend their undefeated start to the year to three matches.
For all their hard work so far this season, Geelong (0-3) remains winless. The Cats have now lost 12 of their last 13 matches, having only won six of 25 since entering the competition in 2019.
Collingwood's Jaimee Lambert was opposed Georgie Prespakis (11 disposals) for most of the night in the midfield, and towelled up the Geelong young gun as she helped herself to a match-high 21 touches (12 contested), nine clearances and seven tackles to be the stand-out.
Amy McDonald shone for the Cats with 20 disposals (12 contested) and 12 tackles.
Geelong enjoyed a three-point lead early in the second quarter but after the Magpies' Sophie Alexander and Molloy missed a couple of straightforward set shots, Eliza James and Alexander combined to put the visitors up by 12 points midway through the term.
Kate Darby cut the deficit to a goal before half-time and could have levelled things up early in the third stanza, but dropped a chest mark in the goal square.
The Cats ramped up the pressure again after the major break but for all their effort just could not get their noses in front and after the Magpies kept them at bay, Molloy rewarded the visitors by giving them an 11-point buffer just before three-quarter time.
Geelong came hard again in the final term but the hosts' dreams of a famous upset win were dashed when Molloy booted her second major.
AAP
