While Collingwood coach Craig McRae loves his side's willingness to fight back, he wishes they did not need to show it so often.

Collingwood are needing to escape from jail a bit too often for coach Craig McRae's liking.

While their come-from-behind AFL win over North Melbourne beat the hell out of the alternative, McRae wishes they hadn't put themselves in that position again.

Saturday's seven-point win at the MCG was their seventh win in a row and puts Collingwood a step closer to an unexpected finals appearance in McRae's debut season as a senior coach.

But it was also their sixth win by 11 points or less.

"I don't want to take away from our fight, because it's there to be seen ... it's a good weapon to have," he said.

"But again we're putting ourselves in those situations where ideally you don't have to be in that situation."

Down by 28 points late in the third term, Collingwood piled on five goals to nil in the last quarter to overrun the gallant Kangaroos.

"Fundamentally, the players just seemed to play 'tight' in the first three quarters," McRae said.

"The last quarter, we just seemed to free ourselves up, maybe because it's been a pattern of behaviour for us - they've been here before, let's get to work."

A big problem again was centre clearances - North dominated that statistic 16-5 to three-quarter time.

The Magpies also lost midfielder Taylor Adams, their best player on Saturday, to concussion for next week's danger away game against Adelaide.

North waltzed away from centre bounces three times for goals in the opening term, setting the scene for a rugged Collingwood day at the office.

"It gives teams hope, particularly one that wanted to come out and make a statement," McRae added.

But there were highlights, with brothers Josh and Nick Daicos playing prominent roles.

Nick was moved onto the ball after halftime and his outstanding snapped goal in the last term - after a handball from his brother - was a pivotal moment.

"We're going to our 19-year-old guy to save the day for us," McRae said of Nick.

"He's been remarkable, hasn't he?"

Overall, McRae is rapt with what Collingwood are showing and he wants to stay as hands-off as possible.

"I'm the sort of coach that likes to drive a direction and a vision, but quickly when I see things are going well, I will get out of the way," he said.

"Over the last seven or eight weeks, I've done less coaching than I've probably done in a long time.

"The players are starting to get it. They're leading from the front."