Two goal in the final two minutes of the game has seen Collingwood snatch a two-point victory against Essendon in the opening night of NAB Cup action.
The Magpies appeared out of the game when they trailed by 11 points with only two minutes remaining, before forward Andrew Krakouer kicked a goal that closed the gap to five points.
A near miss to speedy small man Jamie Elliott followed, before Travis Cloke was awarded a contentious free kick 15 metres from goal and kicked truly.
With only 13 seconds left at the final bounce, Essendon youngster Luke Davis won a free kick 55 metres from goal before the siren sounded. His drop-punt attempt at goal fell two metres short, giving the Magpies the 1.2.10 (31) to 0.4.5 (29) win.
Reigning Copeland Trophy winner Dayne Beams was important for the winners with 12 disposals but he was one of few major contributors for the Magpes.
Ben Johnson, who sat out of Collingwood's earlier win over the Western Bulldogs, showed some run with nine touches and three inside-50 entries.
For the Bombers, there were encouraging signs that their attempts to make in-roads in 2013 will not just be based on the recruitment of Brendon Goddard.
Although Goddard was important with 10 disposals and a goal, it was a number of lesser lights who were also important.
Davis got his first taste of the big time with one of footy's toughest jobs - running with and attempting to stop Collingwood champion Scott Pendlebury (10 disposals).
Dyson Heppell took on more responsibility with a number of his more senior midfield teammates missing, and Tom Bellchambers went a fair way to stamping himself as Essendon's first-choice ruckman with a strong display around the ground and near goal.
However, this was only the opening night of the NAB Cup and these sides were poor versions of themselves compared to what they will be come round one.
The Bombers were missing captain Jobe Watson, and fellow midfielders Jake Melksham, David Zaharakis, Ben Howlett and Jason Winderlich.
The Magpies were without Luke Ball, Alan Didak, Alex Fasolo and Dale Thomas, but also rested Dane Swan and Heath Shaw for the clash after the pair had impressed against the Bulldogs earlier in the night.
COLLINGWOOD 1.0.5 1.2.10 (31)
ESSENDON 0.2.3 0.4.5 (29)
SUPERGOALS
Collingwood: Sinclair
Essendon: Nil
GOALS
Collingwood: Krakouer, Cloke,
Essendon: Jetta 2, Heppell, Goddard
BEST
Collingwood: Beams, Pendlebury, Russell, Sinclair, Johnson
Essendon: Dempsey, Baguley, Stanton, Goddard, Pears, Heppell
INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: TBC
Official crowd: 26,921 at Etihad Stadium
