The Pies, finally taking a direct route to goal rather than going via the cape, then booted four consecutive goals to edge within three points. Challenged, the Dons booted the next two goals to secure victory – Jacob Townsend converting from a holding-the-ball free against Darcy Moore, and Dylan Shiel, one of the best afield, adding the sealer from a snap.

The Bombers were cleaner and more purposeful and they appeared to have a greater hunger for the ball and to apply heat for the majority of the game. They had a surprise hero in Andrew Phillips, the former Carlton ruckman, who rose to the challenge against Brodie Grundy and will certainly get votes from the coaches.

The Dons had superior entries and ball use when going forward and their defence, marshalled by Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker, subdued a misfiring Collingwood attack, where key forwards Brody Mihocek and Mason Cox were ineffectual – Cox barely touched the slippery ball.

Shiel was superb in the midfield, winning key balls and gaining territory for his team on an evening when territory mattered, well supported by a steadily improving Andy McGrath. The Dons were better at forcing the ball forward, with scrambled kicks under pressure, while the Magpies often strived for extra handballs that were turned over.

If the Pies missed Steele Sidebottom and Jeremy Howe, this did not constitute an excuse when considering Essendon's absentees – Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, Conor McKenna and the forgotten Joe Daniher.

Adam Treloar gained much of the ball, but did not exert the same influence as Shiel. Collingwood's skipper Scott Pendlebury was relatively quiet, while ex-Blue Phillips justified Essendon's decision to play him ahead of Tom Bellchambers.

Will Snelling, too, was excellent for the Bombers.

The Dons gained far more return for their forward thrusts – eight goals from their 27 entries compared to Collingwood's three from 27 to three-quarter-time. Stringer was the most dangerous forward afield, while Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti's two third-quarter goals were telling.

The fortunes of the two sides were underscored by the difference in their attacks, and perhaps by the productivity of Stringer compared to his Collingwood counterpart Jordan De Goey, who threatened but never grasped his opportunities.

Collingwood and Jaidyn Stephenson had another explosive opening, the 2018 rising star booting the game's first goals from marks and conversions from an angle at the Punt Rd end. For the first 10-12 minutes, the Magpies dominated all facets. Their pressure was immense, their ball use cleaner and they were set up well to rebound from behind the ball.

When Josh Daicos snapped a – yes, Daicos-like – goal, Collingwood had the first three majors and the Dons had barely entered their forward half.

But a fumble by Jack Crisp led to Darcy Parish's open goal and then McKernan cleverly led Darcy Moore under the ball from the next bounce. Against the tide of possession and territory, the Bombers were within a goal.

The Bombers owned the period from the late first quarter until near half-time, as Shiel and McGrath won balls, Hurley and Adam Saad began to mop up in defence and Stringer booted two goals.

Overall, the difference in the match was a combination of efficiency and desire, and it is the latter quality that counts most in this unique season.