Collingwood will fly from Sydney back to Melbourne armed with a crucial victory that has put it in strong position for a top-four finish and well within reach of top spot.

Coming into the match against the Swans already one match and almost 30 per cent behind the home side, the Pies could barely afford to lose if they were to maintain hopes of the benefits of a top-two position.

Their eight-point victory drew the Pies level on points with the Swans and Adelaide at 15-4 for the year, with Hawthorn (13-5) to face Port Adelaide on Sunday.

West Coast (13-6) also remains in the mix for the double chance following its win over Geelong on Friday night.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley played down the significance of the win, while conceding it would be "nice" to have a home final.

"People outside the club like to look at permutations and combinations and percentage and ladder positions," he said.

"It obviously matters to finish top four and beyond that it'd be nice to have a home final.

"There's a few interstate clubs floating around in Sydney and Adelaide and West Coast, after their win [against Geelong] last night, so it's something to consider, but in the end when you boil it down you've still got to play really good footy.

"Halfway through the third quarter when it's on the line you're not thinking about whether it's going to affect your top-four aspirations or not, you're just really thinking about making sure you're in the right position and you're going to win that next contested ball.

"So we were able to narrow our focus and the players have been rewarded for that."

The Pies were also able to cope with the loss of Dane Swan to a club-imposed suspension, while Dale Thomas was injured early with what appeared to be a knee injury, but was described as a corked thigh by the club.

Without Swan, the likes of Dayne Beams and Sharrod Wellingham were outstanding, and Buckley felt his team had stepped up when it counted.

"There's been a lot of focus about individuals during the week but it's the team that gets the job done, it's the team that defends," he said.

"We were able to play team football for long enough to challenge one of the best teams in the competition.

"Beams isn't stepping out of anyone's shadow.

"It's on the back of a really strong pre-season."

James Dampney covers Sydney AFL news for AFL.com.au. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_JD