North Melbourne has gone down by 30 points to Collingwood on Monday night.

Captain Scott Pendlebury was back to his best, inspiring the Magpies to victory in the second-half.

Pendlebury had 11 disposals and a goal in the third quarter alone, steadying the ship with his composure at the contest as Collingwood wriggled clear of a gallant North Melbourne to win 10.5 (65) to 5.5 (35).

He finished with 28 touches for the night, duly supported by Taylor Adams (31 disposals, one goal) and Steele Sidebottom (23 disposals, one goal) in a Magpies midfield that eventually bested their younger Kangaroos counterparts.

While the victory was by no means convincing, it was important. The result lifts Collingwood to seventh on the ladder with just four matches remaining in its season, creating a valuable two-game buffer between itself and the ninth-placed Melbourne.

As for North Melbourne, its season was effectively over a long time ago. And while Jed Anderson (30 disposals, nine clearances) provided physicality and resilience all night, its hopes of an unlikely upset faded after half-time.

The Kangaroos had threatened a boilover with a competitive start, but were powerless to stop Pendlebury's dominance after the main break as the prospect of a fourth win for the season evaded them. 

Kangas youngster shows true toughness

North Melbourne has a beauty in Jack Mahony. The small forward, who has shown exciting glimpses of his potential throughout his maiden AFL season, came from the field nursing a sore shoulder in the first quarter after a hard tackle from Levi Greenwood. But, having returned in the second term, Mahony – who was still favouring his left shoulder – went straight into a physical groundball contest with Taylor Adams. If that wasn't bravery personified, the fact he emerged with the football to set up a Bailey Scott goal was further evidence of his talent and toughness. Mahony played out the game with heavy strapping. 

COLLINGWOOD              1.2     4.3     8.3    10.5 (65)
NORTH MELBOURNE     2.1    3.4     5.5      5.5 (35) 

GOALS
Collingwood: Ruscoe 2, Thomas, Daicos, Cox, Appleby, Adams, Pendlebury, Sidebottom, Hoskin-Elliott
North Melbourne: Dumont, Hosie, Scott, Simpkin, Xerri 

BEST
Collingwood: Pendlebury, Adams, Maynard, Moore, Sidebottom, Mayne, Daicos
North Melbourne: Anderson, Higgins, Simpkin, McDonald, Dumont

INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil

North Melbourne: Mahony (shoulder)