Every player graded in the Western Bulldogs' come-from-behind win over Collingwood

Collingwood has faltered late in another close game, with the Western Bulldogs running rampant in the final term on Friday night to record one of their best wins in recent seasons.

Down at every break and by two goals at three quarter time, the Bulldogs booted five majors to none in the final term to keep in touch with the top eight. To do it a man down on the bench was even more impressive.

It’s the second consecutive week Craig McRae’s Magpies have squandered a last quarter lead, with questions set to be raised on the kings of the close finish. Again, they parked the bus too early and couldn’t steal back the contest late.

Nick Daicos and Marcus Bontempelli were two clear best afields in an epic duel, while Sam Darcy’s three goals up forward proved the difference for the Bulldogs.

Collingwood had dominated the opening term, with the younger Daicos racking up an astonishing six centre clearances in the first quarter alone.

But while the Magpies had plenty on the Bulldogs in all major stats, a late flurry saw the margin cut to 17 points at the first break.

The Dogs would even the ledger before half-time and never let the margin get too large before roping in the tiring Magpies late.

Here's how we saw every player's performance.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Marcus Bontempelli: A+

Did everything possible to drag the Dogs over the line, too much to cover in a couple of lines. All that can be said is when there's a Bont, there's a way.

Bailey Dale: A+

Plenty of metres gained plying his trade off the half-back line at over 80 per cent efficiency. A deadly combination.

Adam Treloar: A

Anoher lazy 37 possessions and 11 clearances as Treloar took it up to his former side, but he struggled to turn the tide when Collingwood got on top in the middle early.

Tim English: A

Loved his battle with Darcy Cameron as both ruckman went head-to-head around the ground.

Jack Macrae: B+

Was involved in almost everything between the midfield and forward line, with Macrae's ball use standing out.

Alex Keath: B+

Smashed Ash Johnson.

Ryley Sanders: B+

A slow first half but fought back gallantly after the main break to insert himself in the contest.

Joel Freijah: B

Beginning to make a name for himself with his footy smarts. Another 16 disposals and seven marks on Friday night.

Sam Darcy: B-

Responded really well after being rattled by his own action when forcefully colliding with Brayden Maynard in the opening term in an incident likely to draw MRO scrutiny.

Bailey Williams: B-

Had a few loose moments against Josh Daicos on the wing but overall, a tidy game.

Logan McNeil: B-

Came on early as the sub and looked to be fading out of the contest the more it progressed. But that goal late was all class to give the Dogs an insurmountable lead.

Rory Lobb: C+

Regained his spot with Aaron Naughton injured and competed hard for most of the game. Hit the post twice in the opening half and kicked a goal.

Caleb Daniel: C+

Rhylee West: C+

West had enjoyed 11 shots at goal over the past three weeks but couldn't get any of that form for most of Friday night. Got going late.

Taylor Duryea: C+

Jamarra Ugle-Hagan: C

How many times did he run under the footy?!

Liam Jones: C

(Unsurprisingly) won the contest against Billy Frampton, but not to a level where he proved a heachache for Collingwood.

James O’Donnell: C

Played as the third tall against an undersized Collingwood forward line but couldn't influence the contest as one may envision.

Riley Garcia: C-

Led the Bulldogs for clangers.

James Gallagher: C-

Had the massive responsibility of Nick Daicos for much of the clash but struggled to contain the Pies superstar's burst impact.

Lachlan Bramble: C-

Laitham Vandermeer: N/A

Ice on the hamstring in the second term, leaving the Bulldogs to run out a second consecutive game undermanned.

James Harmes: N/A

Taken from the field early in the first term with a hamstring injury.

COLLINGWOOD

Nick Daicos: A+

His ball use had been lacking in recent weeks but Daicos brought it all together on Friday night. Won his own ball, made all the right choices and hit the scoreboard. The kid is a freak and it took a remarkable performance from Marcus Bontempelli for Daicos not to be best on ground.

Darcy Cameron: A+

An enthralling contest with Tim English. Both get big ticks.

Jack Crisp: A+

Led the Magpies for metres gained and was involved in everything good forward of centre for the Magpies.

Charlie Dean: B+

Clearly his best AFL game. Had a good contest against Sam Darcy and led Collingwood for intercepts.

Lachie Schultz: B+

Schultz's form for his new club continues to improve. Missed a few gettable shots early and could have had a really big night.

Bobby Hill: B

An electric presence inside 50 and made the Dogs sweat every time he went near the ball.

Brayden Maynard: B

Josh Daicos: B

In a scrappy contest, Daicos' class shone alongside his brother's. Made up for seven clangers.

Jeremy Howe: B-

Was slated to start in the defensive 50 and the Pies remained true to their word, despite their forward woes on paper. Plenty of intercepts largely playing on Rory Lobb.

Beau McCreery: B-

Few players on the ground did as much damage per touch in the first. Only the eight disposals while it felt like plenty more, but he struggled to impact after that.

Darcy Moore: B-

Won or halved multiple big one-on-one contests as he always does, but did drop a few contested grabs he would usually swallow.

Isaac Quaynor: B-

His defensive positoning stood out as a positive on a night where the Magpies conceded 15 goals.

Pat Lipinski: C+

Lachie Sullivan: C

Couldn't have the impact of his previous four games.

Steele Sidebottom: C

Harvey Harrison: C

Didn't have enough of the footy to influence the contest, despite some nice moments by foot.

Jack Bytel: C-

See above.

Oleg Markov: C-

John Noble: C-

All the usual dare but it didn't come off for Noble, especially in the first half with several glaring turnovers. Subbed off in the final term.

Fin Macrae: C-

Billy Frampton: C-

Started forward in the swingman role but couldn't influence at any stage on Friday night.

Ash Johnson: D

Clear to see why the Pies don't want to play him unless forced. Was well beaten by Alex Keath.

Will Parker: N/A

Came on late as the sub.