IT ALMOST developed into a proverbial battle of the last men standing at AAMI Stadium last night, with Collingwood staving off an equally courageous Adelaide to win by 24 points.

With both teams struck by injuries, it made it as much an absorbing battle of tactics between the coaches as it was a gripping contest between two ultimately very tired and sore teams, the win was well-earned.

Collingwood went into the game without Alan Didak (calf strain), who was replaced by Chris Egan. Others were slightly hurt, but continued admirably under duress, including Scott Burns (knee), Simon Prestigiacomo (strained ankle), who was off for more than a quarter, and James Clement, who appeared to strain an Achilles.

Adelaide went into the game with five key players in doubt — and it showed — including Tyson Edwards, who spent most of the third term in the rooms receiving treatment on a sore hamstring.

Add those woes to the bruises from the heavy bumps and tackles, and both teams earned applause.

For Collingwood, a special performance came from Chris Bryan, a Carlton "old-timer" who repaid the faith the coach and the club showed in him.

At 25, and with only 17 AFL games behind him, Bryan kicked three goals of a five-goal spree over a punishing 11 minutes from the 17-minute mark of the third term.

The Magpies, who had led by 23 points shortly after quarter-time and had lost the lead, turned a nine-point deficit into a 22-point lead at three-quarter-time.

Those 11 minutes basically decided a winner in a contest worthy of a draw.

Collingwood fans may lament the Magpies hitting the post nine times, missing a few easy set shots and having kicks go astray here and there, but it was their persistence and grit that deserved the focus. Bryan also should be forgiven for his poster early in the last quarter, which would have been the early "clincher".

Predictably, it was a low-scoring game as Adelaide enforced its much-touted three-quarter-field zone, and made it difficult for Collingwood to move the ball through the midfield.

However, there were also times when the Crows' best intentions came unstuck, due more to the pressure applied by Collingwood than errors by the Crows.

Goals were hard to come by in a game that was hard, mostly fast, and a battle of wits. Significantly, Collingwood had 71 more disposals, an indication of its work ethic.

Both sides had their heroes. Bryan was superb, as were the performances of Tarkyn Lockyer, Ben Johnson, Dane Swan, Leon Davis and the exciting Alan Toovey.

Simon Goodwin rose to the occasion in his 200th game for Adelaide, and was well-supported by kids who should also get there … Richard Douglas, Chris Knights, and Bernie Vince. Ben Rutten was outstanding as he held Anthony Rocca goalless.

There were absorbing one-on-one contests. Dale Thomas was made to work hard by another promising youngster in John Hinge, who was most impressive in his AFL debut.

There was a lengthy period when the ball rebounded from Davis to Knights, two determined back men who gave their respective sides enormous protection and drive. No one gave up.

It was a terrific game, but beyond the display of determination by two quality sides was the strong underlying tone that both have some very talented youngsters who should keep their clubs competitive for some years. Last night was merely one of the best lessons they could get in tough football in difficult circumstances.

GOALS Collingwood: Bryan 3, T Cloke 2, Lockyer 2, R Shaw, Pendelbury, Thomas, Fraser. Adelaide: Perrie 3, Douglas 2, Welsh, Vince, Stevens, Thompson.
BEST Collingwood: Lockyear, Swan, Johnson, Burns, Davis, Ryan. Adelaide:  Goodwin, Rutten, Knights, Thompson, McLeod, Edwards.
INJURIES: Collingwood: Didak (knee soreness) replaced in selected side by Egan, Clement (calf), Prestigiacomo (ankle). Adelaide: Hinge (hamstring).
UMPIRES: McLaren, Chamberlain, Meredith.
CROWD: 43,915 at AAMI Stadium.