COLLINGWOOD has finalised its preparations for the home and away season with an encouraging 18-point victory over Hawthorn in the NAB Challenge at Shepparton's Deakin Reserve on Friday night.

After a disappointing first three matches in the pre-season, the Magpies fielded their strongest possible side for a much improved performance, winning 16.12 (108) to 13.12 (90).

Only newly-appointed captain Scott Burns, ruckman John Fraser and Ben Johnson were missing from the line-up.

Rising star Scott Pendlebury was impressive across the ground for the Magpies in his role as stand in skipper, showing his class with two goals.

The Hawks wouldn't be too unhappy with their performance, the only concern being a rolled ankle for defender Campbell Brown.

The All-Australian was crunched in a marking contest only minutes into the match and went straight off the field.

Team officials were confident he would be right for round two, once his suspension is over.

It was a scrappy affair early, with both sides struggling to string passages of play together.

Hodge and Bateman stood out for the Hawks early, with Hodge working hard at the clearances while Bateman and Tim Clarke provided a lot of drive through hard running.

For the Magpies, Dane Swan and brothers Rhyce and Heath Shaw were in good touch, while Travis Cloke ran hot and cold in front of the big sticks.

Dale Thomas showed glimpses of his freakish best, while Ben Reid also performed well in the forward 50.

After a sloppy first two quarters, the match really opened up in the second half, with Collingwood, in particular, being far more direct.

The Magpies were slow to move the ball in the first half, allowing the Hawks to get numbers back and opening up the play for the imposing Hawthorn forward line.

Anthony Rocca struggled early, but came back well with three second-half majors, while Alan Didak was dangerous up forward, snaring three opportunist goals.

Collingwood clicked up a gear in the last quarter, minimising mistakes whilst capitalising on their opponent's.

The Magpies will be at close to full-strength for their round one clash against Fremantle, while the Hawks will go in as favourites in their game against Melbourne.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse was relieved to finally taste victory in the pre-season.

"While some people may say it's a practice match and who cares, after three losses we took a lot of confidence out of today's win," he said.

"Chris (Egan) was very good, since he's got his knee done his work rate lifted and he's committed to getting himself right.

"He played very well tonight.

"We expect (Scott) Burns and Josh Fraser along with Simon Prestigiacomo to be pushing for suggestion for round one."

Despite the loss, Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson was happy enough with their final run of the pre-season.

"Both sides had a really good hit-out," he said.

"We were pretty pleased we got through the game reasonably unscathed, Campbell Brown just rolled his ankle in the first minute of the game and we left him off as a precaution.

"Apart from that we've come through unscathed and that's the most important part.

"We've got a lot of work to do as a footy club, by no means are we playing our best footy, but we'll pick that up over the course of the start of the season."

COLLINGWOOD       2.3   6.6   10.10   16.12  (108)
HAWTHORN              3.3   6.7   9.9   13.12   (90)

GOALS
Collingwood: A Didak 3 A Rocca 3 T Cloke 2 B Reid 2 S Pendlebury
2 L Davis B Holland D Thomas C Egan
Hawthorn: L Franklin 3 C Rioli 2 J Roughead R Ladson L Hodge B Dowler M Thorp B McGlynn T Clarke S Dew

BEST
Collingwood: D Swan S Pendlebury, R Shaw, T Cloke, D Thomas, H Shaw
Hawthorn: C Bateman, G Birchall, L Hodge, T Clarke, B Guerra, R Ladson

Umpires: S Meredith R Chamberlain C Donlon M James.

Crowd: 9,500 (approx) at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton.

Injuries: Collingwood: Nil. Hawthorn: C Brown (ankle).

Reports: Nil.