Collingwood have eased the pressure on coach Nathan Buckley with a nailbiting 15-point AFL win over Gold Coast.
The lead changed hands five times in a see-sawing, momentum-shifting contest on Saturday at Metricon Stadium.
But the Magpies finished stronger, prevailing 15.13 (103) to 13.10 (88) to snap a four-game losing streak in slippery conditions.
The result all but extinguishes the Suns’ feint finals hopes, while keeping Collingwood’s alive, at least mathematically.
It comes as a massive relief for Buckley after his position had come under intense scrutiny this week.
Yet it will do no favours for Gold Coast coach Rodney Eade, who is fighting for his own future at the AFL underachievers, against the backdrop of an all-encompassing football review being conducted by CEO Mark Evans.
The Suns played out the second half with only two men on the bench, after an early injury to co-captain Steven May (hamstring) and the loss of in-form midfielder Jarryd Lyons (ankle) at the long break.
They seemed to run out of legs in the end, with a 25-metre soccered goal from Josh Thomas and a quick follow-up from Ben Reid sealing it for the Magpies in front of 17,275 supporters.
Collingwood led by 27 points early in the second term after a run of six consecutive goals.
But as heavy rain began to tumble at Carrara, their stranglehold on the match loosened and the Suns booted seven of the next eight majors to set up an enthralling contest, even if scrappy at times.
Making his return from a hamstring injury, Gary Ablett spent most of the match in midfield and dominated for the Suns with 41 disposals, 11 clearances and six tackles.
Collingwood had an even spread of contributors, with Taylor Adams (31 touches, nine clearances), Adam Treloar (32 disposals) and Jordan De Goey (27 disposals) all impressive, while Daniel Wells was inventive and Reid finished with three goals.