Collingwood secured second spot and a home AFL qualifying final with an outstanding 16-point win over Essendon at the MCG.

Kicking into a strong, swirling wind in the last term, the Magpies showed why they are a premiership favourites with a 12.11 (83) to 9.13 (67) win.

Collingwood will probably meet Brisbane next week in a re-match of last year's grand final.

It was a cracking game despite the tough conditions, with the two teams desperate for the four points a week out from the finals.

For all the talk this year about the non-Victorians dominating the competition, Collingwood showed again they will be a major factor in September.

Goals to big men Josh Fraser, Anthony Rocca and Chris Tarrant in the last term secured the win for the Magpies.

Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley and Essendon counterpart James Hird were superb, with their outstanding foot skills vital in the difficult conditions.

An Essendon win could have put the Bombers into the top four, but they struggled in attack despite having the wind in the last term.

They will finish seventh or eighth and will probably have to travel interstate in next weekend's qualifying finals.

The strong wind, emphasised by the gap at the construction end of the ground, was as much a factor as any player.

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