Collingwood has staved off rivals Carlton in a boost for its finals aspirations, winning by 24 points at the Gabba.
The 10.12 (72) to 7.6 (48) victory on Sunday came after the Magpies trailed by two points at the final change.
It keeps them entrenched in the top eight in sixth position while ensuring the resurgent Blues remain on the outer in 12th place.
The goal-kicking duties were shared around by the Magpies, with Mason Cox, Brody Mihocek, Jaidyn Stephenson and Josh Thomas kicking two goals each.
Eddie Betts slotted a double for the Blues.
Both sides brought that intensity, the margin only blowing out beyond 10 points in the final eight minutes with a Josh Daicos goal.
The Blues led by nine points at half-time following a frenetic eight-goal quarter, with Betts a constant threat after Thomas had kicked two early goals for the Magpies.
But the Blues were kept goalless in the second half, as the Magpies slowly grinded them down in a tense third term where Cox was the only goal kicker.
The Magpies — through Daicos, Adams and Scott Pendlebury — then took control in the final term, while Blues star Patrick Cripps limped off with a knee injury after he had flattened Chris Mayne in an accidental collision.
Next up for the Magpies are the third-placed Brisbane Lions at the Gabba next Friday. The Blues back up on Thursday night when they play the GWS Giants on the Gold Coast.
AAP/ABC
