Melbourne leapt into the top eight and can launch a finals assault with confidence after their thrilling Queen’s Birthday win over Collingwood.

The final game of round 12 promised to have a big say in shaping the seasons of both sides and it was the Demons who left the MCG in good shape after their 15.14 (104) to 15.10 (100) win.

Simon Goodwin’s side improved to six wins and five losses and jumped from 10th to sixth with the result, while the Pies are 11th with a 5-7 record.

“It’s a nice position to be in. It’s something we can build some momentum off, winning games like that builds spirit within your footy club, it builds belief,” Goodwin said.

The victory would have buoyed former Melbourne coach Neale Daniher, who was on hand for the third Big Freeze fundraiser which aims to raise funds for motor neurone disease research.

Daniher is suffering from the fatal disease and has become the very public face of the fight against MND.

Former world No.1 Lleyton Hewitt was among a host of sporting greats who took the plunge on Monday, helping to raise more than $4.5 million.

Retired Test opener Adam Gilchrist took the honours for most creative outfit as “Shane Warne’s flipper”, wearing the leg-spinner’s green and gold uniform over a dolphin outfit.

Champion marathon runner Steve Moneghetti wore a Cathy Freeman-inspired bodysuit, while basketball champion Andrew Gaze dug up the outfit he wore as flag-bearer at the Sydney Olympics.

Lleyton Hewitt goes down the Freeze MND slide. Photo: Getty

In the Queen’s Birthday clash, there were six lead changes in a seesawing first term but the Magpies looked to have broken the game open with the first six goals of the second quarter.

Christian Petracca then got Melbourne back into the contest, setting up a goal for Jeff Garlett with a fine intercept mark and kicking another one himself.

Former Demon Jeremy Howe jumped clear over the top of Tom McDonald in what was a serious contender for mark of the year late in the term.

Jeremy Howe gets some serious air. Unbelievable! #AFLDeesPies pic.twitter.com/rOWwGFcuAl

— AFL (@AFL) June 12, 2017

The Magpies led by 23 points at half-time before Melbourne wrested back the momentum, outscoring Collingwood by six goals to two in the third quarter and holding firm in a grinding final term.

Adelaide finished the round on top of the AFL ladder after their 57-point win over St KIlda, but the talking point was the number of upsets that continued a recurring theme in a very even season.

Carlton pulled off the biggest boilover when they stunned Greater Western Sydney by a point at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Giants were looking to climb back to the top of the ladder with a win over the 17th-placed Blues, but Matthew Kreuzer played a starring role in a 10.11 (71) to 9.16 (70) win.

Sydney got the ball rolling when they outclassed the Western Bulldogs at the SCG on Thursday night.

Young gun Isaac Heeney gathered 31 possessions as the Swans recorded their fourth win in five matches – 12.16 (88) to 6.6 (42).

Port Adelaide were eyeing a move into the top four but they ran into a rampant Essendon side at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Cale Hooker kicked five goals as the Bombers blitzed the Power by 70 points, the 19.17 (131) to 8.13 (61) win squaring Essendon’s season ledger at six wins and six losses.

Brisbane were trying to avoid their 10th loss in a row when they hosted Fremantle at the Gabba and they did so in fine style.

Dayne Beams had 36 touches and kicked a goal in the 18.13 (121) to 9.10 (64) upset win over the Dockers.

Hawthorn’s season went from bad to worse when Gold Coast recorded a 13.17 (95) to 12.7 (79) win at the MCG.

Gary Ablett was at his brilliant best with 37 possessions and two goals in the win that consigned the Hawks to 17th on the ladder with a 4-8 record.

The Crows were rarely troubled by the Saints on their way to a 16.15 (111) to 7.12 (54) win at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

-AAP