It was one of the most hotly contested games of the season as the third-placed Magpies threw everything at the top-of-the-table Swans at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Fortunately for the many Collingwood supporters who made the annual pilgrimage up north, the trip was worth it, as the Magpies held off a desperate Sydney to win by eight points.

Collingwoodfc.com.au has told the story of the victory courtesy of the best photos provided by AFL Media.

Collingwood    3.2    5.4    7.4    11.6 (78)
Sydney             1.3    4.7    8.9    9.16 (70)

Goals - Collingwood: Cloke 3, Beams 3, Blair, Didak, Seedsman, Wellingham, Fasolo, Thomas

Best - Collingwood: Beams, Wellingham, Seedsman, Maxwell, Cloke, Reid



Nathan Brown tries to run the gauntlet as a wall of Sydney forwards, led by Lewis Roberts-Thomson, approach him.



Jarryd Blair was a key player in the victory with his poise and precision by foot helping set up Travis Cloke for a vital final quarter goal.



Darren Jolly and Myke Pike grapple at a boundary throw-in. Jolly was instrumental in getting his Magpies over the line, winning 42 hitouts against his former side.



Sharrod Wellingham always bobs up to have his say in a Collingwood win.



Ben Sinclair makes sure Lewis Roberts-Thomson isn't going to escape with this one.



Senior coach Nathan Buckley is well and truly in control at three quarter time.



Who's back? DIDAK!



Dayne Beams was simply superb, gathering 34 possessions, laying five tackles and kicking three goals.



Alan Didak returned for his first game since the Queen's Birthday and made an immediate impact when coming off the bench as the substitute after Dale Thomas donned the red vest during the second quarter. Didak kicked a trademark goal when he darted in and out of trouble to drill a low left footer.



Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams were both drafted to Collingwood within 18 draft picks of each other in 2008. Talk about striking it rich.



Didak is the third longest serving player on Collingwood's list, and his teammates' response to his goal in the second quarter highlights the respect in which he is held.



Paul Seedsman impressed greatly on the wing, gathering 20 touches and kicking the second goal of his career.



The moment. Beams has kicked his third and has put the result beyond doubt in the process. Former Magpie Rhyce Shaw, who was prolific in defence, looks on ruefully.



The highs and lows of life at the top.



Chris Dawes rose to the fore in the final quarter, taking several strong contested marks and giving his teammates an option as he led high up the field.



The Collingwood players thank their loyal supporters who came from far and wide to support the mighty Pies.



And don't the fans love it?



After a win like that, it's safe to say that they know how to play the game. North Melbourne awaits at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Onwards and upwards.