Mick Malthouse revealed himself as a master in the art of extreme moderation after the Magpies' 48-point win over Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.

"I think it's fair to say that if you hold a side to two goals to half-time in pretty good conditions you're going OK," he told his post-match media conference.

Conceding two goals to half-time, just OK?

It was a bit better than that, but Malthouse was in the zone.

Not even the Blues' five-goal burst in the final term which cut the Magpies' lead from 73 points could elicit a grumble from the Collingwood coach.

"We were one down and they're a good football side," said Malthouse with a shrug.

"You don't own the scoreboard, the opposition are quality side, they're in the eight and they played good footy."

The 'one down' Malthouse referred to was Sharrod Wellingham who dazzled in the first-half with 19 possessions before sitting out the second with a bruised knee.

With the points in the bag at half-time Malthouse said Wellingham's benching was precautionary and the club would wait and see how he pulls up ahead of next week's top of the ladder clash with Geelong.

It's a similar scenario apparently for defenders Heath Shaw and Simon Prestigiacomo, both of whom failed to get up for Saturday's match.

Asked whether the Magpies' six-match winning run suggests they're better equipped to play Geelong, Malthouse cut loose.

"I don't want to make any rash predictions," he said.

"Next week is another challenge and you're never for want of challenge in the AFL."

"You never know what you're going to get, there's certainly no dead-set favourites and that's what makes it interesting."

"You can only look after yourself ... and last night (Essendon's win over St Kilda) was a classic indication that there's such a fine line between winning and losing games of football."

A fine line?

Not many of them from Mick Malthouse this week.