Magpies like the taste of getting down and dirty

Collingwood are looming as a legitimate finals contender for the first time in five seasons.

Mason Cox of the Magpies bumps Jason Johannisen of the Bulldogs. Picture: AAP.

While the jury is out as to how good Collingwood can be this year, the Magpies are looming as a legitimate finals contender for the first time in five seasons.

The Magpies will start the weekend in sixth position after trumping the Western Bulldogs by 13.12 (90) TO 8.7 (55) at Etihad Stadium last night, overcoming a slow start to clinch their sixth win for the ­season.

If it is true good teams rarely let slip matches they are supposed to win, Collingwood are beginning to deliver, even when things go awry.

For at least twice in the last month, against Brisbane and then last night against the Bulldogs, they have clinched victories that may well have gone begging in ­recent seasons.

And that was certainly the case last night in a scrappy, error-riddled affair. But it is an important victory for the Magpies, for it puts them two wins clear of another fringe contender in the Bulldogs.

it is the first time since 1968 that Collingwood have held a side goalless in the second half.

An opportunity to further their momentum presents next Sunday when they host Fremantle, who have struggled on the road this year, at the MCG.

Collingwood sustained another injury in a season where plenty of Magpies have spent time in the medical ward, with Travis Varcoe injuring his left hamstring.

But nor was the Bulldogs cause helped by the absence of Zaine Cordy, who failed to play the ­second half due to concussion.

Collingwood forward Mason Cox is certain to be scrutinised for a last term incident in which he bumped Jason Johannisen as he was bent over picking up the football.

The only thing that may assist him is the fact the 2016 Norm Smith Medallist escaped serious injury.

After kicking the opening goal, the Magpies started poorly and trailed until midway through the third term, a quarter in which they seized control when turning a three-goal deficit at halftime into a nine-point lead at the final term.

They had appeared the better team through the second term, showing dare through the midfield, but the Bulldogs were able to hold sway courtesy of some strong marking and then goals from Jordan Roughead and Billy Gowers.

But in an abject breakdown of an attack that kicked five goals from 13 forward entries in the first term, the Bulldogs failed to kick a goal after halftime, managing just four miserable behinds.

The Magpies have certainly unearthed significant talent in ­attack in Jordan De Goey and ­Jaidyn Stephenson.

But lesser noted is the improvement of Matthew Scharenberg in a Collingwood defence that tightened up significantly after their disappointing opening quarter.

Highly-rated as a teenager, the South Australian endured a horror run with injury early on at ­Collingwood.

There were some concerns he would never be able to live up to his potential, but in a sterling 2018, he is showing poise under pressure in defence.

Tom Phillips knocks up winning the football, with the dashing defender prolific in possession alongside Adam Treloar.

The opening quarter was particularly scrappy, in part because the Bulldogs managed to have every single player behind the football when Collingwood was in possession.