Anzac Day is here once again. That day when Australians rise early to pay homage to the war dead, raise a glass and, of course, watch Essendon and Collingwood lock horns at the MCG.
There is also that tedious, perennial debate about whether other clubs deserve a share of the ANZAC Day limelight, which I’ll happily leave for another day.
This fixture has been host to an array of magical moments since Kevin Sheedy had his brainwave in the mid-1990s.
From Sav Rocca’s mark and nine goals in the initial game, to James Hird’s heroics and Mark McGough (remember him?) making a name for himself in 2002.
In more recent times, who could forget David Zaharakis in the wet and Jarryd Blair’s toe poke last season.
Speaking of last season, it was that aforementioned late goal which gave the Magpies a one-point victory and third consecutive win on ANZAC Day.
More tellingly, that was a sixth-straight victory in all matches against the Bombers – a streak extended to seven against the depleted Dons in the final round of 2012. The unbeaten run is their longest against Essendon since the war.
It will be intriguing to see how much freshening up the sides do, given the almost unprecedentedly short turn around.
As was the case last year, the Bombers go into this match with a 4-0 record. Their major injury concerns are Dustin Fletcher (groin) and Michael Hurley (ankle).
Scott Gumbleton made a successful return to the 22 on Saturday, booting four goals against the undermanned Saints.
Despite topping the table the Dons are underdogs for Thursday – no doubt because of their poor records both against Collingwood, and at the MCG, where they have won just four of their past 21.
The Magpies returned to the winners list on Saturday, putting Richmond back in their box with an eventually comfortable 34-point win.
For the time of year, the Westpac Centre casualty ward is full a full one with the likes of Luke Ball, Dayne Beams, Nick Maxwell and Darren Jolly set to miss again.
Collingwood’s depth matches that of any team in the competition, however, and the likes of Ben Johnson, Tyson Goldsack and even Andrew Krakour could return.
The key match-up looms between Travis Cloke – he who destroyed Alex Rance and the Tigers on Saturday – and promising key defender Jake Carlisle, imperious to date in 2013.
Tantalisingly, both players rank in the top four for marks in the competition and, in front of a sell-out crowd and millions watching at home, this shapes as the biggest test for Carlisle in his short career.
This duel is key to deciding which side ultimately wins the match.
Be on The Roar around 2.40pm AEST for up-to-the-minute commentary, stats and banter!
Grace
Guest
Yes it was bad umpiring. Those two free kicks ruined Collingwood's momentum. The Pies would have one if that didn't happen. That umpire should be sacked.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
I recall a middle aged Carlton supporter trying to strangle a young Richmond supporter after the final siren, round one, '08. They were women as well. Broken up by more sensible Blues supporters & then, the police. This kind of thing has happened over the years in isolated situations, but let's not lose our minds by comparing it to the scale of mindless violence that soccer is infamous for. No sport on earth comes even close to their shabby reputation.
genghis
Guest
Will be major news as Collingwood,hilarious that Only Collingwood supporters misbehave. All other club supporters are Angels. I saw grown essendon supporters throwing beer at a Collingwood woman on Anzac day,lovely
Anthony
Guest
some vision on CH 7 tonight , I am surprised , kept very quiet today wasn't it in the print media. KB said on SEN today that in big crowds this happens in all sports , yet in other sports it is front page news , if a supporter farts. CH 7 says supporters claim excessive police force was used yet a female officer was punched, a officer was punched at a Melbourne Victory game , it made front page news and 3AW ran it all day, and police condemnation. But hey our media and Police are fair , no complaints from the police today... the same for one and all....
genghis
Guest
Saw essendon supporters throwing beer at Collingwood woman,also swept under carpet,afl still says nothing ever happens at the family game
Nathan of Perth
Guest
One of them I couldn't tell, the camera angle they used was simply useless to tell. The other I think was a blown call, but you'll get a couple of those in every game no matter what sort of umpires you have.
TomC
Roar Guru
I was a bit worried that those two free kicks the Bombers got late in the third quarter were going to be decisive. Both were clearly incorrect decisions. Didn't make a difference in the end though. Generally agree that the umpiring was pretty good, apart from that.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Kind of crazy that the game's crowd was larger than all three other ANZAC Day games combined. Of course, caveat is that both the NRL crowds were sell-outs.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Not really. Watched the thing from start to end, only saw a couple things that were objectively stuffed up, rather than simply failing the One-Eyed Supporter test. Better efficiency rate than either side, anyway.
agga78
Guest
how about the bloke punching the female police officer at the match today and the pepper spray used on supporters, bet you find that is swept under the carpet by all the local afl media, football hooligans.
Grace
Guest
Shocking umpiring
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Full Time: Essendon 18.13.121 Collingwood 10.15.75 The Bombers win their first ANZAC Day match since 2009 and break a seven match losing run against Collingwood! After the events of the off season, who would have thought Essendon would be 5-0? Furthermore, no one would have seen in coming given the train wreck of last July and August. This is their best start to a season since 2000. Yet another fade out and bad injury will worry the Magpies. David Zaharakis (4 goals, 21 kicks, 13 handballs, 4 marks, 1 tackle) wins the medal. KEY STATS... Kicks: Essendon 215 Collingwood 209 Handballs: Essendon 138 Collingwood 156 Marks: Essendon 99 Collingwood 99 Tackles: Essendon 57 Collingwood 50 Hitouts: Essendon 50 Collingwood 21 Free kicks: Essendon 17 Collingwood 14 Inside 50s: Essendon 52 Collingwood 46 INDIVIDUALLY... Zaharakis (Ess) 34 Stanton (Ess) 31 Watson (Ess) 31 Sidebottom (Col) 31 Swan (Col) 31 Pendlebury (Col) 29 Goddard (Ess) 27 Heppell (Ess) 25 That's it from me for today. Be back a little later for live coverage of the historic St Kilda-Sydney match in Wellington. If you have any thoughts on the game or just want to brag, please drop us a comment below!
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 32 minute mark Tom Bellchambers takes a mark roughly 30m out and goals to ice the cake further. In the dying embers, Essendon lead by 46 points. Essendon 18.13.121 Collingwood 10.15.75
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 29 minute mark Alwyn Davey pounces on a loose ball in the forward line and slams through his second goal. Travis Cloke responds with his own (belated) second. This is well and truly ugly for Collingwood now; the vast swathes of empty seats tell the story. Essendon 17.13.115 Collingwood 10.15.75
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 27 minute mark It gets even worse for Collingwood. Alan Toovey changes direction and twists his knee badly. He exits the field on the emergency cart. "90% of those are ACLs," Dr Peter Larkins reports. The serious injuries of Luke Ball and Andrew Krakour are recalled. Essendon 16.13.109 Collingwood 9.15.69
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 23 minute mark Deep in the pocket, Jobe Watson kicks truly brings up the Essendon ton. David Zaharakis boots his fourth soon after. It's champagne football for Essendon!! Essendon 16.13.109 Collingwood 9.15.69
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 19 minute mark A harsh "deliberate" call is paid against Dale Thomas. Brent Stanton misses the kick. It must be said that on balance, the umpires have been good. Essendon 14.13.97 Collingwood 9.15.69
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 16 minute mark Essendon are full of running and winning the one-on-one duals everywhere. Jackson Merrett is on the end of another flowing move to kick what is probably the sealer! Essendon 14.11.95 Collingwood 9.15.69
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 11 minute mark The Bombers are re-asserting control. Is it too early to say that they've taken Collingwood's best shot? Essendon 13.10.88 Collingwood 9.14.68
Simon McInerney
Roar Guru
Q4 – 7 minute mark Jason Winderlich, who the Pies don't seem to have an adequate match-up for, bobs up to kick his third. Essendon 13.9.87 Collingwood 9.14.68