Nick Daicos and Jordan De Goey have fired Collingwood to a scrappy 26-point win over injury-hit Port Adelaide, who lost three players during a third quarter of carnage.

Trailing by 19 points midway through the second quarter at the MCG after playing some dull football and being jumped by the visitors, the Magpies steadied thanks to the brilliance of their premiership stars.

After conceding five unanswered goals, Collingwood kicked the next nine to set up the 11.12 (78) to 6.16 (52) win in front of 40,860 fans on Saturday night.

The Power didn't register another goal after their sixth major of the game went through at the 15-minute mark of the second quarter, their night turning dire in a horror third term.

On return from two months out with a groin issue, Jack Lukosius suffered a calf injury after playing a crucial role in Port attaining their early lead.

Already reeling from having the former Gold Coast ace ruled out of the game, defender Esava Ratugolea and utility Ewan Mackinlay were taken out in one huge contest late in the third term.

Ratugolea was taken off on a stretcher after badly hurting his knee, writhing in the pain because of a ruptured patella tendon.

Ratugolea will undergo surgery in Melbourne on Saturday and could miss up to 12 months.

Mackinlay was also treated for a medial knee strain, leaving Port with just two fit players on the bench for more than a quarter.

"The game had already got gotten away from us in that third quarter," Power coach Josh Carr said after they slumped to 4-10 this year.

"I thought the boys rallied in that ... last quarter.

"We didn't kick a goal, neither did they, but I still felt like we had spirit."

Port's in-demand free agent Zak Butters was brilliant early, slotting a crucial goal from the pocket, but Daicos and De Goey had him covered later.

Daicos was at his influential best with a game-high 41 disposals and nine clearances.

Stand-in captain with Darcy Moore and Brayden Maynard missing, Daicos also nailed a goal of the year contender when he soccered a Jordan Sweet spoil off the ground to inspire the Magpies.

Daicos and De Goey kicked three of Collingwood's four goals in a surge late in the second quarter to ensure they only trailed by a point at halftime.

Veteran Tim Membrey kicked three goals for Collingwood in a welcome return to form, because the Magpies have struggled to fill the inside-50 void left by Jamie Elliott's season-ending injury.

Collingwood will spend the night 10th on the ladder, but could have been stranded in 14th place had they been upset by the Power.

"We come here tonight wanting to get our season moving a bit," Magpies coach Craig McRae said.

"You can't just keep turning up and playing well and not winning games, you've got to win.

"If I'm probably honest, I think we've played a lot better this year and haven't won games."