Brisbane's bubble has been burst in a 62-point hiding as Collingwood put on a clinic in the Gabba's first AFL sell-out since 2010.
The 18.15 (123) to 8.13 (61) defeat on Thursday was a reality check for the Lions, who were a step off the pace against a Magpies unit that looks to have found their rhythm after a patchy opening month.
The city's biggest AFL game in nearly a decade didn't start as planned for the hosts, with Collingwood's 47 points their best first term against the Lions.
It only got worse for Chris Fagan's men as the visitor's 51-point third term became the highest-scoring in history at the ground.
Dayne Beams was booed throughout the night by the 34,017-strong crowd in what was the former captain's first return to Brisbane since his shock off-season trade.
But he only had to point to the scoreboard as his third-quarter goal pushed the lead close to 60 and consigned the Lions to a second-straight loss after three wins to start the season.
"Too many mistakes coming out of the back half of the ground and turnovers that you couldn't defend," Fagan said.
"They're an experienced side and make you pay ... when the game had to be won in the first quarter we were poor."
Beams (26 disposals) offered tidy support to midfielder partner Adam Treloar, who was the architect with 36 touches.
Brody Mihocek finished with four goals while Jaidyn Stephenson was a handful as the Magpies found easy ball inside 50m all night.
"We went bang, bang (with two goals to start the second half), which was pretty handy and we just persisted," Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said of their third term dominance.
"It was just weight of numbers in the end.
"We were able to defend our front half a lot better ... and our forwards were pretty dangerous all night."
Marginal calls went against the Lions and the umpires literally got in the way when star midfielder Lachie Neale was blocked by a man in yellow and Stephenson ran away for an early goal.
But some sloppy play and lack of smarts also hurt the hosts, with the Magpies routinely first to the ball and slicker with it leaving Fagan to ponder if the occasion had got the better of them.
James Aish (concussion) didn't return in the second half while Brisbane defender Harris Andrews and teammate Rhys Mathieson were both second-half casualties with hamstring injuries.