Essendon claim ANZAC Day honours with massive 46-point win over Collingwood.
Watch Nathan Buckley react to Ben Reid's free kick for pushing Essendon's Tom Bellchambers in the third quarter.
Jason Winderlich celebrates a goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
A DEFIANT Essendon has shaken off its off-field scandals to thrash Collingwood in an historic Anzac Day clash at the MCG.
The third biggest home-and-away crowd in AFL/VFL history watched the Bombers shake off the drugs scandal that has rocked Windy Hill to record a 46-point victory before a crowd of 93,373.
It was just the eighth time 90,000 people or more have attended a home and away match at the MCG and the biggest crowd since 94,825 turned up for the first classic drawn contest between the Bombers and the Pies in 1995.
On a sacred day on the Australian calendar, footy said thanks to our fallen the best way it could – a match epitomizing the Anzac spirit of skill, courage, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play.
The Bombers had not won on Anzac Day since 2009 when then teenager David Zaharakis ignored pouring rain and a fast evaporating match clock to boot the winning goal in the dying seconds.
He was at it again today, winning the Anzac Medal for the best player afield as the Bombers won their fifth straight match to keep their unbeaten season alive and retain top spot on the ladder.
The contest may have been about premiership points and sporting pride but for the players and fans it was much more than that.
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As players from both sides linked arms for the national anthem, with the Australian flag at half mast in a sign of respect, the unique pulse of this special footy match pumped around the ground.
The goosebump moment of the home-and-away season came as the capacity crowd huddled and hushed in startling silence to pay its respect to the brave who have fallen and fought for their freedom.
Gallery: All the action and emotion from the MCG
Watch Nathan Buckley react to Ben Reid's free kick for pushing Essendon's Tom Bellchambers in the third quarter.
But when the bugler was done, and the haunting last post sent spines tingling, it was up to the players to perform.
It took 15 minutes for the first goal to be scored.
But despite the drug investigation casting a shadow over the club off the field, the Bombers let their football do the talking on the arena.
Essendon and Collingwood players observe a minute's silence on Anzac Day Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun
They led by four points at quarter-time and the long break but made their move in the second half to run out 18.13 (121) to 10.15 (75) victors.
It took the tally to 10 Collingwood wins, eight Essendon triumphs and a draw in 19 Anzac showdowns.
Australian Army trooper and lifelong Essendon fan Rhys Kelly, who survived a bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan, presented the match ball to officials before the first bounce.
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And 10-year-old Bombers fan Nathan Garcia who was born with half a heart and survived only to suffer a life-threatening spinal condition tossed the coin.
In a touching sign of solidarity between the two on-field enemies, players from both sides ran onto the field through a single banner built by the cheer squads of both clubs listing the names of former footballers killed at war.
Jobe Watson celebrates a goal in the last quarter. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun
Even the trophy carried special significance.
It too was etched with the names of VFL players killed on active service and was built from wood from an ammunition wagon used in battle at Villers-Brentonneux in France and metal salvaged from the battlefields of Gallipoli.
Recap our live updates from the MCG below
LATE CHANGES
Nil
SUBSTITUTES
David Myers (Essendon)
Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood)
FULL TIME - ESSENDON 121 - 75 COLLINGWOOD
ESSENDON produced a huge final quarter to steamroll Collingwood in front of more than 93,000 fans at the MCG.
The Bombers led by four goals at three-quarter time then kicked 6.5 to 3.1 to blow the game apart and win by 46 points.
The Magpies also face an anxious wait on defender Alan Toovey, who went down late in the match with a knee injury.
Essendon has its own injury concerns with key defender Jake Carlisle hurting an ankle after blanketing power forward Travis Cloke.
The Anzac Medal for best on ground was awarded to Bomber David Zaharakis, who had 34 disposals and four goals.
Essendon skipper Jobe Watson was also immense with 31 touches and two goals, while Jason Winderlich booted three in his second game back from a long-term injury layoff.
Steele Sidebottom, Heath Shaw and Scott Pendlebury were the Magpies' best.
SUPERCOACH STARS
Zaharakis 140
Pendlebury 135
Sidebottom 135
Watson 131
Swan 126
Tom Bellchambers tries to rip the ball free. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun
3/4 TIME - ESSENDON 80 - 56 COLLINGWOOD
A SOFT free kick paid to Tom Bellchambers directly in front of goal has steadied Essendon at the last change at the MCG today.
The gift followed a free kick and goal to Scott Gumbleton moments earlier as the Dons opened up a 24-point buffer at the last change.
The Bombers speared to a 32-point lead in the third term before Travis Cloke, Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury lifted to bring the Pies back to life.
But the free kick goals steadied the Dons.
1/2 TIME - ESSENDON 40 - 36 COLLINGWOOD
A WASTEFUL Collingwood has crawled to within four points of Essendon at halftime despite an array of botched shots on goal.
The Pies converted just one goal from eight set-shots in the first half, while the Dons momentarily skipped to a three-goal lead early in the second quarter.
Brendon Goddard and Jobe Watson have led the way for the Dons, while Jake Carlisle is dominating star Pies forward Travis Cloke.
Steele Sidebottom's late goal kept the Pies in touch at the main break, with the star half-forward sneaking free inside 50.
The ball magnet racked up a game-high 22 disposals in the first half.
SUPERCOACH STARS
Sidebottom 91
Shaw 73
Watson 71
Zaharakis 70
Swan 68
Essendon v Collingwood at the MCG for the blockbuster Anzac Day clash. Essendon celebrating their win. Picture: Coppel Alex Source: Herald Sun
Full list at Live HQ
1/4 TIME - ESSENDON 15 - 11 COLLINGWOOD
STEELE Sidebottom has recaptured his best form, but Essendon leads at quarter-time at the MCG.
Sidebottom had 13 first-quarter disposals in a congested start that saw just three goals kicked.
It took 15 minutes for David Zaharakis to break the deadlock, while Jarryd Blair marked and goaled to give the Pies their first major.
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ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD, Thursday 2.40pm at the MCG
ESSENDON
B: M.Hibberd 1, C.Hooker 26, M.Baguley 46
HB: B.Stanton 5, J.Carlisle 22, B.Goddard 9
C: D.Heppell 21, J.Watson 4, C.Dempsey 15
HF: J.Merrett 20, D.Hille 19, S.Gumbleton 3
F: K.Hardingham 34, S.Crameri 12, A.Davey 29
Foll: T.Bellchambers 2, B.Howlett, 40, J.Winderlich 8
I/C: D.Zaharakis 11, D.Myers 23, H.Hocking 39, T.Colyer, 32
Emerg: N.Lovett-Murray 42, J.Melksham 17, T.Pears 16
In: Hardingham, Colyer, Crameri
Out: Hurley (ankle), Pears, Melksham
COLLINGWOOD
B: N.Brown 16, A.Toovey 34, B.Reid 20
HB: M.Clarke 9, H.Shaw 39, H.O'Brien 8
C: S.Sidebottom 22, D.Swan 36, D.Thomas 13
HF: J.Elliott 19, T.Cloke 32, Q.Lynch 21
F: B.Sinclair 28, T.Goldsack 6, S.Dwyer 41
Foll: B.Hudson 25, S.Pendlebury 10, J.Blair 11
I/C: A.Fasolo 1, J.Russell 2, B.Macaffer, 3, P.Seedsman 40
Emerg: J.Witts 15, J.Thomas 24, B.Kennedy 27
In: Goldsack
Out: J.Thomas
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