Collingwood will head into the bye two games clear on top of the ladder after holding off an inspired Melbourne for a one-point win in a public holiday blockbuster at the MCG.

Wet weather played a hand in a low-scoring first half tussle before the Dees fought their way back from a 20-point deficit in the third term.

It wasn't enough to deny the Magpies a fifth straight win - in Bobby Hill's 100th career game in front of 77,000.

Kysaiah Pickett looked to have picked up where he left off at the MCG after deflating the Swans with a five-goal haul a fortnight earlier.

He and Hill hit minor scores at either end of the ground to open their side's accounts.

After going into the first break locked square at 2.2, Pickett threatened to turn the game in his side's favour in the second term, kicking a pair of goals before the main break, both in spectacular fashion.

His first, a miracle soccer effort from 45 metres after traffic parted around him, gave the Dees the lead.

Pickett capitalised on a metre of space granted him on the edge of a stoppage on the arc to bring Melbourne back within a goal shortly before half time, dampened by Tim Membrey slotting his first at the other end for an eight-point Collingwood lead heading into the rooms kicked after the siren.

KOZZY, you're kidding 🤯#AFLDeesPies pic.twitter.com/ifCAaOrE6D

— AFL (@AFL) June 9, 2025

Steven May was among the Demons' best, with six intercept possessions roaming down back through the first half.

Collingwood got into their groove with the opening two goals of the third term.

Melbourne hit back with three of the next four kicked - interrupted by Hill getting onto the scoreboard in his milestone match.

The Norm Smith winner said it was a "dream come true" to bring up his century, speaking with Fox's coverage in the sheds post-match.

"It's great to get a good win, and now we can just rest up," Hill said.

Hill also credited old heads in the Magpies side for their direction when the match hung in the balance later in the piece.

After Collingwood took a seven-point lead into the final change, Melbourne again kicked three of the next four (two to Bailey Fritsch and a third for Pickett) before Dan McStay, on return to Collingwood's lineup, sealed the result.

Pickett's third was the pick of his afternoon, sweeping on a loose handball inside fifty entry running wide of goal before snapping his side into the lead.

The Demons had a late chance a point down and with ball in hand deep in their defensive fifty with 40 seconds on the clock.

Attempting to launch a rebound, captain Max Gawn sprayed his kick to find an opposition player inside fifty - who gave off to Scott Pendlebury, then Steele Sidebottom received the ball wide to wind down the clock.

The siren rang with the ball in Hill's hands outside 50.

A long bomb launched didn't add to the final margin - 11.6 (72) - 10.11 (71).

"They're great leaders on field, and off field as well…just like another coach out there," Hill said of Pendlebury and Sidebottom post-match.

"They just make our job a lot easier when you've got those types of leaders on the field."

Steven May looked to give Gawn a piece of advice after the late stage attempt to move the ball up the ground handed Collingwood the result.

"(It was) two competitors frustrated. Two leaders that have got an incredibly strong relationship, (who are) obviously disappointed with the outcome," Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin said in his press conference post-game.

Goodwin added the pair had discussed the exchange and "moved on pretty quickly", defending Gawn's attempt to "create something for the team" despite the wayward execution.

Earlier in the afternoon, a host of football, sporting and famous faces raced down the slide and plunged into ice water for the 11th Big Freeze, raising funds for FightMND - led by former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher.

2000s Dees favourite Aaron Davey took part dressed as Michael Long in a nod to the Essendon champion's annual long walk.

Melbourne could have lifted to 10th on the ladder with a win, now sitting 14th win five wins from their opening 13 matches.

Collingwood have the bye in round 14. They sit two games clear of Brisbane on top of the ladder.