While premiership points weren't on the line, Collingwood did just enough in the end to hold off Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium on Thursday.
The highly competitive clash saw the Hawks maintain their fight right until the final siren, but it was the Pies who just held on to claim the victory.
The Hawks came out blistering to begin the second half, booting the first two goals including one from prized pick Cam Mackenzie.
Hawthorn unveiled the draftee for the first time since selecting him at Pick 7 last November and the young gun didn't disappoint in his first appearance in brown and gold.
Mackenzie will be pushing to make his debut against Essendon in Round 1 after collecting 24 disposals and a goal in a calm and composed effort, while former Western Bulldogs forward Fergus Greene is also on track for Hawthorn's season opener after slotting a game-high three goals, months after being signed as a delisted free agent.
Meanwhile, Jai Newcombe has quickly become the main man in Hawthorn's engine room, despite being just 21 with 29 games of AFL experience.
But after finishing runner-up in the Peter Crimmins Medal last year, Newcombe appears set to go to another after matching it with Collingwood's experienced midfield brigade on Thursday night.
James Worpel produced a team-high 30-disposal performance that shows he can be counted on in 2023 after enduring a frustrating 2022 campaign that featured time at Box Hill followed by a shoulder reconstruction.
The 2019 best and fairest winner collected 30 touches in Tasmania, nine clearances and 624 metres gained to provide coach Sam Mitchell with another option at the coalface.
Both sides will now return to Melbourne on Friday and have at least a fortnight to prepare for Round 1, with Hawthorn meeting traditional rivals Essendon on the first Sunday of the season at the MCG.
HAWTHORN 5.0 8.7 13.10 14.16 (100)
COLLINGWOOD 6.1 9.8 13.13 15.16 (106)
GOALS
Hawthorn: Greene 3, Moore 2, Macdonald 2, Wingard, Ward, Reeves, Meek, Mackenzie, Koschitzke, Bramble
Collingwood: Mihocek 2, McStay 2, Lipinski 2, Elliott 2, Adams 2, Sidebottom, McInnes, Hill, Hoskin-Elliott, J.Daicos
BEST
Hawthorn: Newcombe, Worpel, Mackenzie, Greene, Maginness, Amon
Collingwood: De Goey, Mitchell, Adams, J.Daicos, Crisp, Lipinski
INJURIES
Hawthorn: Nil
Collingwood: Lipinski (shoulder)
Reports: Nil
