MELBOURNE has finished its 2025 AFL season going down to Collingwood in a nailbiter on Friday night at the MCG.

The Magpies survived a scare from a gutsy Demons side which came into the game with nothing to lose, coming from behind to win 11.16 (82) to 11.10 (76) in front of a crowd of 60,611.

Collingwood kicked four goals to one in the final quarter with small forwards Lachie Schultz (16 disposal, two goals) and Jamie Elliott (15 disposals, two goals) helping get their side over the line on a night where the Magpies' inaccuracy in front of goal nearly cost them the game and a top-four spot.

Melbourne fans will be pleased with their side's efforts as it finished what has been a disappointing season.

The club now looks towards 2026 and a fresh start under a new coach as it resets and prepares to go again after missing finals for the second season in a row.

Melbourne's 2021 premiership stars Max Gawn (22 disposals, 26 hitouts, seven marks), Clayton Oliver (30 disposals, seven marks), Bayley Fritsch (three goals, 10 marks) and Christian Petracca (28 disposals, six clearances) showed that they still had what it takes to match it with the best sides.

Fans were also given a glimpse to a more aggressive game style under interim coach Troy Chaplin, with the Demons often biting off risky ball movement through the middle in the hope of exposing the Magpies defensively. And it worked, particularly in the third quarter when they kicked five goals to the Magpies' one.

GOALS
Collingwood: Schultz 2, Elliott 2, Sidebottom, Mihocek, McStay, Maynard, Long, De Goey, Crisp
Melbourne: Fritsch 3, Pickett 2, Melksham 2, van Rooyen, Petty, Petracca, Langford

BEST
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Pendlebury, Cameron, Schultz, Elliott, De Goey
Melbourne: Gawn, Oliver, Bowey, Salem, Fritsch, Petracca

INJURIES
Collingwood: Howe (groin)
Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Roan Steele (replaced Jeremy Howe in the second quarter)
Melbourne: Harry Sharp (replaced Jai Culley in the fourth quarter)

Crowd: 60,611 at the MCG