Collingwood has done it again, coming from 28 points down to sink the Bombers in thrilling ANZAC Day encounter.
The Pies kicked the last six goals of the game, with their pressure and unrelenting work at stoppage proving too much.
Two of those final quarter majors came through rising superstar Nick Daicos, who enjoyed 40 touches and a shiny new possession in the ANZAC Day Medal.
Right from the outset, this had the feeling of a high octane encounter, with the opening exchanges played in the matter befitting of September action rather than clash in late April.
Every touch seemed rushed from both sides, as the pressure was dialled up in front of a finals-like crowd at the MCG.
Essendon stamped an authority on the game in the contest early, kicking the first three goals and making the most of their tall targets up forward in Sam Weideman and Sam Draper.
“Excellent pressure from both teams, this has been a fantastic start,” Brendon Sanderson said on AFL Nation.
Collingwood’s moment of the opening quarter came right on the siren, as Jordan De Goey’s shot sailed through, sparking a melee as the Pies fans found their voice.
The Pies’ momentum rolled into the early parts of the second term, booting the first term before Essendon responded with multiple majors of their own – both through Kyle Langford.
Both sides continue to ramp up the pressure as the second term unfolded, as De Goey brought the house down with a long goal. As the game wore on, you can just feeling that one of the games of the season so far was unfolding.
And so it proved.
“This is building into a classic,” Dwayne Russell said.
Calwell set to come under MRO scrutiny
Essendon midfielder Jye Caldwell is a chance to be rubbed out by the MRO after a punch to the body of Nick Daicos in the third term.
The young midfielder has been impressive so far this year and has look rejuvenated under Brad Scott and now faces a nervous wait.
"That might get him a week."
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 25, 2023
Jye Caldwell's hit on Nick Daicos ⬇️ #AFLPiesDons pic.twitter.com/7kKgpp69VN
Nick Daicos runs riot again
Essendon opted not to put a hard tag on the younger Daicos, allowing him to rack up possessions at will once again.
The 20-year-old roamed around a sun-bathed MCG in the first half, collecting 21 disposals and 40 overall throughout the game.
His stocks keep on rising and on the back of yet another impressive performance, the talk around whether the prodigious son of a gun can win a Brownlow Medal in just his second year won’t go away.
It was one of the best performances we've ever seen on ANZAC Day and one certainly deserving of the medal.
Langford has last laugh with Collingwood fan
The crowd at the MCG on Tuesday was up and about, riding every bump, tackle and mark.
Langford was handed a free kick in the second term, with a Collingwood fan in the crowd handing him the ball on the boundary before momentarily dropping it, forcing the Dons swingman.
Langford went on to bend the ball through for his second goal, turning back to the fan and pointing at him in jest.
While Essendon went on to ultimately lose the game, it was a moment that typified the spirit in which the combative contest was played in.
Kyle Langford has the last laugh 😂#AFLPiesDons pic.twitter.com/5tue0xNJvJ
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 25, 2023
Heaving crowds continue to return to the MCG
The now traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon continues to go from strength to strength, providing some of the most poignant and important moments every season as the nation pauses to reflect and commemorate.
2023 marks the 28th year of the biggest game every home away season, with the first edition in 1995 setting an ANZAC Day crowd record of 94,825.
Until today.
That record was broken, as 95,179 fans piled into the MCG, continuing the record start to the season crowd wise.
FULL SCORE
Collingwood: 1.4, 5.7, 6.10, 12.12 (84)
Essendon: 3.2, 5.5, 11.8, 11.11 (77)
GOALS
Collingwood: Ginnivan 2, Daicos 2, De Goey 2, Johnson 2, Frampton, McCreey, Pendlebury, Sidebottom
Essendon: Langford 3, Weideman 2, Draper, Menzie, Perkins, Davey Jnr, Martin, Stringer
BEST
Collingwood: N.Daicos, Sidebottom, J. Daicos, Ginnivan, De Goey
Essendon: Langford, Parish, Redman, McGrath
INJURIES
Collingwood: N/A
Essendon:
CROWD: 47,395 at the MCG.