Collingwood came, saw and conquered Gold Coast SUNS at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night, with a slick first half paving the way for a 54-point win.

In front of a ground record 23,302 spectators, the Magpies led by 21 points at quarter-time and 54 at the half as they gave the out-gunned GC SUNS little chance.

To the GC SUNS credit they fought hard and were level with the Magpies in the second half, but Collingwood was always in control in the 19.15 (129) to 11.9 (75) win.

The only hiccup in an otherwise routine win for the reigning premiers was superstar Dale Thomas being substituted for John McCarthy in the third quarter due to a leg injury.

Thomas gingerly walked off during the second quarter but returned later in the term and despite running with a slight hobble, played good minutes in the third quarter before being subbed out.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse confirmed after the match Thomas was simply carrying a "corkie".

Collingwood's pressure was outstanding when the game was on the line.

The Magpies dominated disposals (116-84), clearances (13-8) and inside 50s (17-8) in the first quarter and could easily have led by more.

The one-way traffic continued in the second quarter as the inside-50 count climbed to 38-15 and the game was as good as over.

Malthouse said the even second half was more due to the GC SUNS persistence than his team taking its foot off the pedal.

Scott Pendlebury (34 disposals) and Dane Swan (31) had their usual glut of possession in the midfield and Luke Ball's (27) work in the first half was first-rate.

The battle between Travis Cloke (two goals) and Nathan Bock was enthralling, with the Gold Coast full-back getting the better of his red-hot opponent.

Influential players
 

Although the Magpies' midfield chalked up its usual high numbers, it was their running half-backs that impressed. In just his second match back from injury, Ben Johnson racked up 33 disposals (including 21 handball receives) and Leon Davis had 32 (with 92 per cent kicking efficiency). Cameron Wood was also a more than able replacement for Darren Jolly in the ruck, finishing with 27 hit-outs and 15 disposals.

Once again GC SUNS captain Gary Ablett was outstanding. The Brownlow medallist was tireless in the midfield, collecting 36 disposals and a match-high 11 clearances. His vice-captain Nathan Bock was a pillar in defence, limiting the red-hot Travis Cloke to two goals.

What it means
 

Collingwood did what was expected and disposed of its inexperienced opponent with few troubles. The Magpies also got game time into non-regulars Cameron Wood, Brent Macaffer, Alex Fasolo and Lachlan Keeffe that could be handy come September.

Gold Coast SUNS lost no fans despite a slow start. The GC SUNS ran hard and put their bodies on the line and were rewarded after half-time by matching the Magpies in the final two quarters. Collingwood's pressure gives the club a nice sneak preview to a difficult fortnight ahead against St Kilda and Geelong.

Dream Team Highlight
 

Collingwood: The Magpies were not short of contributors, with six players breaking triple figures, led by Ben Johnson (131), Scott Pendlebury (124) and Luke Ball (122).

Gold Coast SUNS: For the Suns, former Collingwood-listed player Danny Stanley was his team’s highest scoring player with 110, while Gary Ablett continued his high-scoring ways with 97.

Magic moments
 

GC SUNS wingman Trent 'Cannon' McKenzie added to his growing reputation as one of the best kicks in the competition with two more booming goals. His first quarter effort came from 60m, while his left foot bomb in the second came after he ran through the middle of the ground, took a bounce and launched from 65m.

The crowd
 

Gold Coast had a taste of why Collingwood is the most supported team in the League. The crowd of 23,302 was dominated by the black and white army with jerseys, scarves and every other bit of Magpies clothing blanketing the crowd. It was a record for the GC SUNS and the home supporters would not be disappointed with what they saw.

Stats that mattered … and didn't
 

Collingwood average 15 more inside 50s than its opponents this season but went well above that mark. The Magpies pumped the ball forward an incredible 78 times to 41. Just as amazing was the clearance stat - won 40-37 by Gold Coast SUNS.

FIRST QUARTER
 

Gold Coast SUNS started the game with a bang, kicking the first two goals, including a fine 60m effort from Trent McKenzie. However, Collingwood, who kicked four behinds before its first goal, soon had its radar on target, kicking the next four goals and restricting the GC SUNS in all areas of the ground. GC SUNS Maverick Weller kicked a goal against the run of play but Luke Ball had one for Collingwood, following a free-kick, not long after. Tyson Goldsack kicked Collingwood's last goal for the quarter a minute from the siren to give his side a 21-point lead.

Collingwood 6.4 (40) Gold Coast SUNS 3.1 (19)
 

SECOND QUARTER
 

Collingwood continued its dominance, kicking six goals before Gold Coast SUNS scored its first point. Three of Collingwood's goals for the quarter were from free kicks, including a 50m penalty to put Jarryd Blair in range. The Magpies were not short of goalkickers either, when Travis Cloke kicked his side's 11th goal, he also became the Magpies' first multiple goalkicker. Gold Coast SUNS enjoyed some consolation after Trent McKenzie's second goal from outside 50m, however, its celebrations did not last long, with Luke Ball kicking his second a minute later. Harley Bennell snapped another GC SUNS goal late in the term to cut the margin to 54.

Collingwood 13.8 (86) Gold Coast SUNS 5.2 (32)
 

THIRD QUARTER
 

As smooth as the Magpies looked in the midfield, they were unable to continue hurting the GC SUNS on the scoreboard. Lachlan Keeffe and Steele Sidebottom kicked Collingwood's opening two goals but the GC SUNS showed some fight, kicking the next two goals, courtesy of Danny Stanley and Nathan Krakouer. Dale Thomas, who spent time on the bench with a leg injury, was subbed off for the Magpies. Luke Ball found Andrew Krakouer on his own in the goal square late in the quarter but Sun Jarrod Harbrow kicked truly minutes later to round out an even quarter between the two teams.

Collingwood 16.12 (108) Gold Coast SUNS 8.4 (52)
 

FOURTH QUARTER
 

If not for three of its shots hitting the post, Gold Coast SUNS could have pegged back a good portion of the margin. As it was, its defence continually repelled the Magpies in their forward 50m and the GC SUNS won the quarter by two points, thanks to goals from Harley Bennell, Sam Iles and Michael Rischitelli. Ben Johnson, Lachlan Keeffe and Scott Pendlebury kicked goals for the Magpies. Ben Johnson left the game late in the quarter clutching his shoulder and did not return.

Collingwood 19.15 (129) Gold Coast SUNS 11.9 (75)
 

The next four
 

Collingwood: Essendon (MCG); Port Adelaide (AAMI Stadium); St Kilda (Etihad Stadium); Brisbane Lions (MCG)

Gold Coast SUNS: St Kilda (Metricon Stadium); Geelong (Skilled Stadium); Brisbane Lions (Gabba); Adelaide (Metricon Stadium)

Collingwood               6.4       13.8      16.12     19.15 (129)
Gold Coast SUNS     3.1        5.2         8.4         11.9 (75)

GOALS
 

Collingwood: Keeffe 3, Cloke 2, Johnson 2, Pendlebury 2, Ball 2, Krakouer 2, Sidebottom 2, Blair, Swan, Goldsack, Buckley

Gold Coast SUNS: McKenzie 2, Bennell 2, Stanley, Harbrow, Krakouer, Iles, Lynch, Weller, Rischitelli

BEST
 

Collingwood: Ball, Pendlebury, Johnson, Davis, Sidebottom, Swan
Gold Coast SUNS: Ablett, Stanley, Bock, Brown, McKenzie, Swallow

INJURIES
 

Collingwood: Thomas (leg)
Gold Coast SUNS: nil

SUBSTITUTES
 

Collingwood: Dale Thomas replaced by John McCarthy in the third quarter.

Gold Coast SUNS: Joel Wilkinson replaced by Nathan Krakouer at the start of the third quarter.

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Ritchie, Bowen, Jeffery

Official crowd: 23,302 at Metricon Stadium

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs