Collingwood have won a thrilling King’s Birthday game by just one point over Melbourne.

In a gripping contest where the Demons never gave up, Koltyn Tholstrup had a chance to reclaim the lead in the final minutes, but his set shot fell short.

Demons skipper Max Gawn took a defensive mark inside Melbourne’s defensive 50 with less thsan 30 seconds to go, but in a bid to switch the to the other side of the field quickly he kicked it to Collingwood’s Will Hoskin-Elliott.

Gawn was then involved in an on-field spat with teammate Steve May after the siren, pushing May away after the two exchanged words.

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Scores were level at the first break (14–14), before Collingwood led narrowly at halftime (38–30) and three-quarter time (57–50).

The Magpies led by 20 points in the third quarter but fell behind early in the last term, before Dan McStay kicked the final goal of an 11.6 (72) to 10.11 (71) victory at the MCG.

Almost a year to the day since last season’s injury nightmare, Demons star Christian Petracca returned to the same stage with 26 disposals and five clearances.

But it was some of Collingwood’s stars who shone brightest as the ladder leaders made it five wins on the bounce and improved their record to 11-2 ahead of a mid-season bye.

Jeremy Howe (26 disposals) was brilliant in defence, Josh Daicos (34) stood up in the middle and McStay kicked two important goals.

Nick Daicos kicked one goal from 19 disposals as he dealt with a tight tag from rebadged Melbourne winger Ed Langdon.

The Demons (5-8) had their chances as Bayley Fritsch and Kysaiah Pickett kicked three goals each.

Pickett put Melbourne in front briefly in the final quarter and Clayton Oliver (30 disposals, nine clearances) worked hard.

The Demons dominated centre clearances (16-7) and overall clearances (39-29), and had a 54-45 advantage in forward entries, but couldn’t make it count.

Langdon wore Daicos like a glove from the outset and their tussle was central to multiple spotfires throughout a tight first half.

Two Pickett goals bookended three straight Collingwood majors in the second quarter, his first a fortuitous hack off the deck from 45 metres.

But the Demons managed just 2.4 for the term - to Collingwood’s 4.0 - despite dominating the inside-50 count (21-9).

The Magpies, who enjoyed an 18-11 advantage in free kicks in the first half, led by eight points at the main break after Tim Membrey slotted a set shot on the siren.

Fritsch twice trimmed the margin to a solitary point with brilliant snaps in the final term, either side of a Nick Daicos goal on the end of a 50m penalty.

And Pickett put Melbourne in front with another snap before McStay sent the Magpies ahead for the last time.

Collingwood’s victory extended their recent dominance of Melbourne to 11 wins in 13 meetings.

More than 77,000 people packed into the MCG to watch the annual MND fundraiser inspired by former Essendon player and Melbourne coach Neale Daniher.

With AAP