Tensions between Collingwood and Essendon players boiled over at the end of the opening quarter after a telling goal from Magpies star Jordan De Goey.
The Bombers were dominant in the first term of the Anzac Day blockbuster, booting the first three goals of the match and dominating at the coalface to be +8 in contested possessions.
But De Goey nailed a set-shot kick on the quarter-time siren to kick Collingwood’s first goal of the match.
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Cue the spotfires, with players from both clubs clashing before they broke off to their respective huddles.
Bombers defender Jayden Laverde was in the thick of the action, along with Magpies duo Ash Johnson and Brayden Maynard.
“Right on the quarter-time break the Collingwood fans erupt – and so do the fists,” Channel 7 commentator Brian Taylor said.
“Little fracas breaking out everywhere at the moment.
“It’s a little tense.”
Dual All-Australian Leigh Montagna said it was a much-needed goal by De Goey.
“It always drags on at quarter-time because there’s no play to drag the players back into position,” Montagna told Fox Footy.
“It was an important goal by Jordan De Goey, because Essendon were in control of that first quarter. I thought they played terrific football and their ball movement was excellent. But before that, they were getting it done around the clinches.”
