Collingwood's 33-point win over GWS has come at a cost with hamstrung skipper Darcy Moore and veteran Scott Pendlebury set to miss the Magpies' blockbuster clash with Brisbane after picking up injury concerns.
The brilliant Nick Daicos starred as a burst of five consecutive goals across the third and fourth quarters delivered a 13.9 (87) to 7.12 (54) victory over a wasteful GWS at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.
Moore, on return from a calf injury, pulled up sore in his right hamstring after kicking out of defence late in the opening quarter and went straight down to the rooms.
The 30-year-old returned in the second term and played out the game but coach Craig McRae conceded Moore was "not right".
"It's hamstring awareness - and for those following his rehab back to play, he had the same thing about 10,12 days ago and we just thought, 'no risk, no risk, no risk," McRae said.
"But we're in the game and you go, 'can he push through, can he take some minutes?' Because it's important that in terms of rotations and things, if he could take some minutes without risk.
"He's not right, not 100 percent. So, has he done a hamstring? I'm not sure. I don't think so ... but I'd say he's unlikely next week."
McRae said Pendlebury, 38, already wasn't going to make the trip north for the Easter Thursday clash with Brisbane.
But he was forced out of Friday night's game in the third quarter with Achilles' tightness.
It will delay 428-gamer Pendlebury's bid to overtake Brent Harvey as the VFL/AFL games record holder.
Collingwood moved to 2-1 after a superb game by Nick Daicos, headlined by two crucial third-quarter goals and 36 disposals, proved the difference.
GWS (1-3) were without Sam Taylor, Aaron Cadman, Brent Daniels and Toby Bedford, but the absences were no excuse for their horrendous goal-kicking and butchering of the ball going inside 50.
"Kind of the same as last week against St Kilda - didn't maximise our entries, our opportunities," coach Adam Kingsley said.
"I thought Collingwood defended well in the moments that they needed to but our connection is is nowhere near where it needs to be at the moment."
Collingwood's defence, led by Billy Frampton, shut down Jesse Hogan, who went goalless, and Jake Stringer.
Josh Daicos (33 disposals) hurt his left shoulder in a tackle in the first quarter but played out the game.
Collingwood ruck debutant Oscar Steene (20 hitouts) proved an inspired selection, working over Kieren Briggs athletically and taking a fantastic contested mark for his maiden AFL goal.
Tim Membrey snagged three goals in the opening quarter and finished with four.
For GWS, Finn Callaghan (35 disposals), Clayton Oliver (37 disposals, 10 clearances) and Lachie Whitfield (39 disposals) were busy.
Collingwood took their early chances where GWS didn't and led by 14 points at quarter-time.
GWS trailed by three early in the third quarter but Collingwood went up a gear then put the foot down for an impressive victory.
GWS next have the bye.
