1. Five-day break, no worries for Pies
Much was made about Collingwood's five-day break coming off a rugged Anzac Day clash with Essendon. But the lack of rest did not seem to affect their energy levels early, as the Pies took a 17-point lead into half-time. Collingwood extended its margin to 35 points at three-quarter time, as it made the Cats pay for a number of horrendous turnovers. The unbeaten Cats, who enjoyed a seven-day break, were flat and outplayed all over the ground. The Pies kept Geelong under 100 points for the first time this season, with Daniel Menzel's (who was managed for the game) absence keenly felt.
2. A sweet victory for under pressure Buckley
The winning blueprint was established in Collingwood's only victory of the season against Sydney in round three – be daring with the football, make the most of your forward 50 entries and run hard defensively. The Magpies achieved all of those things against Geelong, easing the scrutiny on under-the-pump coach Nathan Buckley. Collingwood gained the ascendancy out of the middle of the ground, winning the centre clearances 10-2 in the first half. The Pies' spread from the contest proved to be irrepressible and their ability to spread the Cats' vaunted team defence was impressive. Collingwood still finished with an inaccurate 14.17, but the standard for the season was set with a 29-point win over Geelong.
3. Parfitt set for lengthy spell on the sidelines
The emergence of young draftee Brandan Parfitt in the first six rounds of the season had been a major positive for Geelong. Parfitt, pick No.26 in last year's NAB AFL Draft, won plenty of admirers for his composure in traffic and received the round three Rising Star nomination. But the 19-year-old looks set for a considerable time on the sidelines after suffering a serious hamstring injury. Parfitt collapsed to the ground as if he was shot from behind as he chased the football on the outer side of the MCG wing in the fourth term. The exciting youngster immediately clutched his right hamstring and had to be assisted from the field of play by the club's trainers.
4. A Dunn deal strengthens Collingwood
With Ben Reid rested for the game against the Cats, owing to his injury history, the key question was always going to be whether Collingwood had a match-up for Tom Hawkins. It turned out that they did with Lynden Dunn, who the Pies traded for with Melbourne late last year. In his first senior game since round six, 2016, Dunn kept Hawkins to just eight disposals and one goal. The experienced defender, who played 165 games for the Demons, may not be an automatic selection every week, but his strength in the contest and long kicking gives Nathan Buckley a dependable player.
5. Greenwood and Selwood renew rivalry
What's worked before will work again. That was the mindset that Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley adopted when he sent Levi Greenwood to in-form Geelong skipper Joel Selwood. Greenwood managed to get under Selwood's skin in the Pies' 24-point win at the MCG last season, and the argy-bargy continued on Sunday. There were plenty of verbal stoushes and physical ones too, with Greenwood receiving a free kick when Nakia Cockatoo came in to defend his captain with a forceful shove. Greenwood's constant presence and nagging approach kept Selwood to just 17 touches and four clearances.
