The biggest Anzac Day crowd yet – 95,179 all told – was rewarded by perhaps the best game since the epic draw that launched this series 28 years ago. Essendon threw down the gauntlet with a six-goals-to-one third term to establish a 28-point three-quarter time lead and the Magpies picked it up by kicking seven goals to none in the last quarter to snatch victory.
The hallmark of Collingwood last season was their serial Houdini-like escapes, but this one surpassed them all.
Nick Daicos was simply sublime for the Magpies – yet again.Credit: AFL Photos
It was a day that will be remembered for many things, but not least was the performance of instant-champion-just-add-water, Nick Daicos. Not only was he as prolific as is now his wont, he went forward in the last quarter to kick two match-winning goals. This was the stuff of James Hird and Dane Swan of Anzac Days past. It was the stuff of, well, the Daicos family.
Collingwood’s win was even more meritorious considering they were previously undermanned on the day and at times it looked like their makeshift ruck division would be overwhelmed. Essendon ruckman and cult figure Sam Draper might have regained the lead for the Bombers with minutes to play with a ruck free kick, but missed.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher (left) and Sam Draper of Essendon spoil Ash Johnson of Collingwood.Credit: Paul Rovere
Sore of heart as they will be this night, the Bombers can hold their heads high. Backing up from last week’s upset of premiership fancy Melbourne, the Bombers matched and then shaded the Magpies for the bulk of the match. You have to remember that they started again almost from scratch under new coach Brad Scott this season.
Strange to relate, they were more efficient than the Magpies, or perhaps it wasn’t so strange, since they also saw the Magpies and raised them one in terms of the pressure on which they pride themselves. As slowly, but measurably as the steps of military personnel in the Anzac Day pre-match ceremonies, Essendon are coming.
But in the last quarter, Collingwood took their total football vocation to a new level. You would not have wanted to run into any of them in a dark alley, even the angelic-looking captain Darcy Moore, who was again enormous this day. Personnel relief is weeks away still for the Magpies, but when it arrives, no opponent will daunt them. In the Craig McRae era, none has.
But really, contemplation of what it all means can wait for the cold light of Wednesday morning. For now, it’s enough to celebrate a brilliant Anzac Day of footy.
Essendon came with a plan, and it worked. As far as possible, they nursed the ball around the ground, keeping it away from Collingwood’s favourite chaos. When in range, the Bombers then launched towards their mountainous targets. They also manned the corridor, denying the Magpies their cherished fast lane.
After an even first half, a six-goals-to-one third quarter looked to have done the trick for the Bombers. In the balance of ball-getting, there wasn’t much to choose between the teams. But the Magpies were strangely sloppy. The Bombers kicked goals from everywhere, the Magpies missed from most places. Simply, the Bombers were more efficient. You could see the confidence suffusing them. Then you could see it leach away as the Magpies asserted themselves.
After an early Draper free kick and goal, Essendon’s vast advantage in height and experience in the ruck took a while to asset itself, but when it did, it was telling.
Collingwood’s makeshift ruckmen Billy Frampton and Nathan Kreuger toiled honestly, but lacked the poise of the regulars. It was only to be expected; Kreuger has barely touched the footy this season. Collingwood’s other depth players paddled hard but got nowhere. The relief they appeared to need at three-quarter time is still weeks away. But then they manufactured it anyway.
Collingwood: 1.4 5.7 6.10 13.12 (90)
Essendon: 3.2 5.5 11.8 11.11 (77)
GOALS
Collingwood: N. Daicos 2, McCreery 2, De Goey 2, Ginnivan 2, Johnson 2, Frampton, Sidebottom, Pendlebury.
Essendon: Langford 3, Weideman 2, Martin, Stringer, Perkins, Menzie, Draper, Davey jnr.
VOTES
Nick Daicos (Collingwood) 9
Jordan De Goey (Collingwood) 8
Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood) 7
Mason Redman (Essendon) 7
Darcy Moore (Collingwood) 7
Anzac Day medallist: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
How they voted for the Anzac Day Medal…
Brian Taylor (Channel 7)
Three votes: Nick Daicos (Collingwood)
Two votes: Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
One vote: Jordan De Goey (Collingwood)
Kate McCarthy (Triple M)
Three votes: Nick Daicos
Two votes: Jordan De Goey
One vote: Mason Redman (Essendon)
Jay Clark (Herald Sun)
Three votes: Nick Daicos
Two votes: Steele Sidebottom
One vote: Jordan De Goey
Anna Harrington (AAP)
Three votes: Nick Daicos
Two votes: Steele Sidebottom
One vote: Darcy Moore (Collingwood)
More to come
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