A full house at the MCG provided an electric atmosphere as Collingwood picked up an impressive win over Essendon on Anzac Day.
It was a mostly even contest all day, with the Bombers’ midfield on top, but the Pies scoring freely on transition.
The game swung in the last quarter when Collingwood got on top on-ball, thanks to a throwback performance from Scott Pendlebury.
Jack Ginnivan booted five goals and Brody Mihocek kicked four, with the Bombers lacking answers for the pair across the afternoon. The former was awarded the Anzac Day medal for best on ground.
Essendon's task was not helped when defender Jayden Laverde was subbed out with a leg injury.
Darcy Parish seemed on track to win back-to-back Anzac Medals at half-time, having 30 disposals to his name – the most in an AFL game this century. He finished with 44 - four in the final term.
Ultimately, Essendon now slumps to 1-5 and last year’s finalists are a long way from top eight quality.
Collingwood meanwhile are almost mirroring the Bombers from last year. They’ve been pat on the back as a young team rebuilding – despite not really being so – but they are rejuvenated under a new coach and outperforming pre-season expectations.
They now sit only percentage outside of the top eight and host Gold Coast on the MCG next week.
The Bombers meanwhile face the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium.
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Crowd of 84,205 at the @MCG, biggest attendance at the venue since the 2020 T20 World Cup final.
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) April 25, 2022
FULL SCORE
Essendon 2.2, 4.6, 8.8, 12.10. (82)
Collingwood 3.2, 6.2, 9.3, 15.3. (93)
BEST
Essendon Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Sam Draper, Alec Waterman
Collingwood Jack Ginnivan, Brody Mihocek, Jeremy Howe, Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore, Scott Pendlebury, Jack Crisp
INJURIES
Essendon Jayden Laverde
Collingwood Nil