Adam Treloar wins the ANZAC medal
No surprises there after a very dominant performance from the midfielder. Says it’s a privilege to play on ANZAC day and thanks the men and women who fought in the war. Man of few words, I think.
Pendlebury appears and thanks the wonderful crowd for showing up year after year and making the occasion so special.
Buckley, on TV, says their first quarter was poor but was impressed with the rest of the game. Says each player is starting to feel self-worth in their roles, but they have a long way to go.
That’s all from us here today - thanks for joining me for this live blog, I hope you enjoyed it despite the lopsided outcome!
Collingwood defeat Essendon 14.17 (101) v Essendon 7.10 (52)
The game finally comes to an end (for Essendon and neutral fans) and ironically ends with a goal to the Bombers, this time from Hooker.
Really impressive game from the Pies, who also knocked off Adelaide in South Australia the week before. They now have a very short turnaround before they face Richmond next week in front of what should be another very big crowd.
Adam Treloar is favourite for the medal after 34 disposals, including 13 contested possessions, and two goals. Brodie Grundy says the team are “developing a brand for how they want to play this year” after three wins on the trot.
Dirty day for Essendon, particularly Brendon Goddard, who despite 33 disposals was caught on camera arguing with various different teammates. Credit to Collingwood, however, they were the far better side.
Updated
Q4 02:35 Collingwood 14.17 (101) v Essendon 6.10 (46)
Don’t think we’ll get the record now as McDonald-Tipungwuti gets one against the tide.
Q4 03:52 Collingwood 14.17 (101) v Essendon 5.10 (40)
A third for Sidebottom, and it’s a big boilover at the MCG. How much bigger can this margin get? Forgive me, the record margin is 73 not 71. Couple more goals will do it...
Q4 05:08 Collingwood 12.16 (94) v Essendon 5.9 (39)
Official crowd is 91,440 (eighth biggest in home and away history!) Not a great day for Essendon on perhaps their biggest stage of the year. Definitely not a great day for Brendon Goddard, with more vision rolling of him arguing with teammates.
How come no one has created a @BrendonGoddardmemes account yet? It's a comedy goldmine. #AFLPiesDons
— Matthew Beggs (@MatthewBeggs) April 25, 2018
Treloar almost ices his medal with another goal - but it hits the bottom of the post. Reckon he’ll take it anyway.
Updated
Q4 07:07 Collingwood 12.16 (94) v Essendon 5.9 (39)
Love this vision - bit of fun but also quite an accurate representation of how exciting the Pies fans here today are! Why wouldn’t you be after such an extended period of misery and calls for your coach’s head!
#AFLPiesDons wave that flag bro pic.twitter.com/rs6l8Rz0TI
— Brent hobbs (@hobbsy64) April 25, 2018
Ben Reid lines up for another goal from just outside 50, but it won’t make the distance. Goddard still booed every time he touches the ball. Phillips piles on the pain with a snap goal.
Updated
Q4 10:08 Collingwood 11.16 (88) v Essendon 5.9 (39)
Brilliant mark from Hoskin Elliott- diving back with the ball, just finds his outstretched fingers. Excellent work from Mason Cox too, with Goddard spilling the ball and Cox picking it up with ease, much to the delight of Collingwood fans. They’ll play Richmond next round, should be a huge crowd for that one.
Q4 12:40 Collingwood 11.16 (82) v Essendon 5.9 (39)
This could end up being the biggest margin of any ANZAC day clash, which is 71 points. Commentators are talking up Adam Treloar as the likely medal-recipient. Reckon they’re spot on, has regularly broken the lines today. Is up to 29 disposals now at 90% efficiency, with two goals.
Stewart gets one back against the tide - after a nice pass from Stringer. There’s some respite for Bomber fans. Collingwood fans - you’ll creep up to fifth with the win today (from 13th!)
Q4 14:50 Collingwood 11.16 (82) v Essendon 4.9 (33)
Cox! That’s another really nice grab for the big man, but he misses to the left again. Brendon Goddard takes the kick-out and is getting plenty of boos from the crowd - not clear if from his own supporters or otherwise!
Cox will have another chance to find the middle with another mark - this time in front of a raging Goddard. Five in a row for the Pies. The Colling-wood chant is in full flight now.
Q4 17:06 Collingwood 10.14 (74) v Essendon 4.9 (33)
Things continue to unravel for the Bombers, this time Devon Smith gets in the road of the ball being returned to Adam Treloar after a free, and it’s 50m.
Not a lot of love for the Bombers from their own fans, or anyone much really.
at the moment there's more infighting in the bombers than the liberal party #aflpiesdons
— william p tinkle (@willytinkle) April 25, 2018
Essendon look like they don’t want to be out there, they’re all too busy arguing with each other. They’ve been beyond putrid today #AFLPiesDons
— Dylan (@FrosTieez) April 25, 2018
Aaaand, just like that, it’s another goal to Ben Reid. This one’s getting ugly.
Another poor game. Time to share the fixture around. #AFLPiesDons
— Ben S (@BJS37) April 25, 2018
Q4 18:30 Collingwood 8.14 (62) v Essendon 4.9 (33)
Some vision has emerged of Brendon Goddard having an argument with Joe Daniher at three-quarter-time, so I guess the common denominator is indeed Goddard. Not a great sign to see so much angst amongst the players. The quarter begins as the last ended - with Essendon pushing forward, but wayward on goal.
Here’s some vision of the Zaharakis incident.
Bombers getting frustrated with each other...#AFLPiesDons pic.twitter.com/8meWJmpnUS
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 25, 2018
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Three-quarter-time Collingwood 8.14 (62) v Essendon 4.8 (32)
Lovely kick by the Pies into the forward line, this time to Ben Crocker. He misses to the near side for just the behind. Nothing doing for the Bombers - Hurley runs onto a loose ball and kicks it out of bounds on the full... they’re playing a possession game with the lack of rotations and pace, but can’t prove any threat going forward. The quarter ends with a push deep into the Bombers’ 50, but it’s spoiled.
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Q3 04:41 Collingwood 8.13 (60) v Essendon 4.8 (32)
Everyone getting into Goddard on Twitter, but to be honest the vision shows Zaharakis having a go at Goddard, not the other way around.
Fancy that! Goddard blaming his teammates for a nice change #AFLPiesDons
— Richard Havespell (@reddobson) April 25, 2018
Treloar with a soccered shot at goal but nothing giving as he hits the post. You get the feeling this could have been much worse for Essendon if Collingwood had been more accurate.
Q3 07:10 Collingwood 8.12 (59) v Essendon 4.8 (32)
Zaharakis has a chance to kick the Bombers’ second since quarter time, but he sprays the snap wide. This time Goddard finds Daniher on the lead – finally – but Zaharakis is visibly unhappy, admonishing Goddard for ignoring his lead. Not sure about that. Daniher meanwhile almost misses everything. Things falling apart for Essendon.
Updated
Q3 09:20 Collingwood 8.12 (59) v Essendon 4.6 (30)
Stephenson lining up for his eighth goal in two games - but it’s wide. Umpire ruled that he was infringed with the spoil, but not sure there was a lot in that. Essendon crowd now very quiet - we may have a rare fizzer of an ANZAC day match.
Jake reckons both Melbourne and Essendon have failed on the big stage, but I reckon the Dees were brilliant in the third quarter against the Tigers yesterday. Richmond just played out of their skins (much like finals 2017) from there.
Who's more overrated? @melbournefc or @EssendonFC. Both useless. #AFLPiesDons
— Jake Bruni (@Bruni_6) April 25, 2018
Q3 12:10 Collingwood 8.11 (58) v Essendon 4.6 (30)
Signs not good for Essendon- on the rebound Pendlebury finds Cox in a heap of space. Hasn’t been the most accurate to date (missed one and passed another off) but he goals this time. Pendlebury has to be in consideration for the medal, I’d say.
Q3 13:30 Collingwood 7.11 (52) v Essendon 4.6 (30)
Here’s one of Stephenson’s last goal – out in plenty of space. Bombers now have just the one goal in a quarter and a half, and have spent plenty of time chipping the ball around the backline looking for some space. They just can’t get any fluency going forward – need to take the game on more I’d say. A rushed behind for Essendon takes it to 22 points.
The NAB AFL Rising Star nominee for round four is doing plenty today!
— AFL (@AFL) April 25, 2018
The Pies are on a roll 🔥#AFLPiesDons pic.twitter.com/vppNkJu98x
Updated
Q3 16:15 Collingwood 7.11 (52) v Essendon 4.5 (29)
That hurts, Collingwood with the quick rebound and Stephenson is all alone in the 50 without an opponent in sight. He kicks the easy goal, and it’s looking like the Pies’ day.
Another half a minute later and Mason Cox looks to drill one for 45m out - but hits the post. Let off for the Bombers - have they got anything in response?
Q3 17:43 Collingwood 6.10 (45) v Essendon 4.5 (29)
News emerges that Josh Green has done a hamstring - which is further bad news for the Bombers with Begley already off with a knee. Stringer has an opportunity from 10m out, directly in front, and sprays it wide. Poor effort from Stringer after two goals in the first quarter. You get the feeling the Dons really needed that, and it was a lovely setup from Daniher after he won the free for hands in the back and then hit Stringer so close to goal.
Updated
Half-time Collingwood 6.10 (45) v Essendon 4.4 (28)
Pies look inspired at the moment - Murray wins the ball in the backline against three. Stephenson then wins the ball on the wing after a fist to the head from Saad, while McDonald-Tipungwuti leaves the ground with a limp. Essendon struggling to find targets, and Collingwood closing space well to force them to kick down the line. This time it ends with a turnover inside 50, and the Pies find all sorts of space on the burst. Varcoe’s snap just misses - but the lack of pressure was evident.
That hurts for Collingwood- Heppell gets one against the flow of play after an errant clearance from Cox with just 18 seconds remaining. That’s the final score of the half.
I’ll be back with you after a short break.
Updated
Q2 03:55 Collingwood 6.8 (44) v Essendon 3.4 (22)
Brilliant team goal for the Magpies - Adam Treloar’s 50m bomb sails through after four bounces and a nice assist from Jack Crisp (who both stumbled and fumbled the bounce before he found his teammate). Crowd gets involved again - the “Colling-wood” chant has started to resonate around the MCG. Worrying sign for Essendon, with very little pressure put on either Crisp or Treloar.
Q2 04:51 Collingwood 5.8 (38) v Essendon 3.4 (22)
Apart from Aish, Pendlebury and Sidebottom look dangerous for Collingwood – both former medallists on this day. Pendlebury has 13 at 85% efficiency and Sidebottom 11 with a couple of goals. Just the five disposals for Grundy after dominating the last few weeks.
Goddard (18), Zaharakis (17) and Merrett (17) leading the way for the Bombers, but no sign of Stringer so far - who lit up the first quarter.
Q2 07:42 Collingwood 5.8 (38) v Essendon 3.4 (22)
Goal to the Pies! Hoskin-Elliott looks to take another contested grab inside 50, but it’s adjudged to have hit the ground. A bounce follows and Stephenson gets on the end of a hurried snap forward for a scrappy goal. That’s his first for the day after five last week. Crowd is up and about - danger for the Dons.
Q2 08:47 Collingwood 4.8 (32) v Essendon 3.4 (22)
Bombers finally get some space, but Tipungwuti drops the incoming pass, and Stewart is caught for a throw. Comedy of errors for both teams at the moment, unable to hit a forward target. On cue, Aish’s 17th disposal finds Hoskin-Elliott on the lead for Collingwood, and he’ll line up from 45m out. He can’t convert. Collingwood in particular missing chances - eight points for four goals.
Q2 11:03 Collingwood 4.7 (31) v Essendon 3.4 (22)
Daniher hasn’t had the best match so far, this time giving away a free into the back of Scharenberg (the fourth he’s given away for the match!) Reckon he could’ve come further up the ground towards Guelfi. Expected a long kick to his advantage instead of pressing for the ball. Ben Reid has been similar - dropped a few easy marks in the forward line. Either team would benefit from one of those firing.
This time Daniher misses Smith, who turns the ball over as a result of defensive pressure. He’s going at just 40% efficiency. By contrast, James Aish looking good for the Pies on the wing.
Q2 15:45 Collingwood 4.5 (29) v Essendon 3.4 (22)
Hartley tries to pull off an aggressive switch into the middle, but the ball falls short of Smith and is turned over. Mason Cox is on the receiving end of it - 45m out with a nice contested mark, with no angle. Cox, however, chooses to pass it off - this one to Aish about 30m out on a 45 degree angle. He misses to the left - not sure Cox should’ve passed that off.
Q2 18:00 Collingwood 4.4 (28) v Essendon 3.4 (22)
Essendon confirm Josh Begley won’t be back for the day, while his almost namesake Baguley hasn’t had a possession so far and has been caught one out several times – Sidebottom worrying him. Grundy goes up uncontested in the ruck and the palm down goes straight to the Bombers - Zaharakis ending up with a snap on goal, but it’s off target.
Updated
Thanks for writing in!
Robyn emails:
“I reckon the day should be shared around. Apart from anything else it’s a great money spinner. So many clubs would benefit from the injection of dollars, the national exposure and the consequent increased interest of sponsors. No club should own this day.”
I think I agree, to be honest. I like Essendon’s involvement, thanks to Sheedy’s initiative, but the fact it’s against Collingwood does seem a little unfair given they’re probably the last club who needs the exposure/money (apart from perhaps Richmond). Then again - Good Friday has so far not taken off in the same way thanks to the form of the teams involved, and the suggestion there was to choose teams based on recent form. Is that fair either though? Seems to only benefit those performing and probably already succeeding aka least needing it. It’s a hard one.
On Good Friday, I would’ve liked to see the AFL persist with North v Bulldogs (last year’s Good Friday clash) and see how that went. I think in some ways the repetition makes the rivalry, which makes the occasion. But you want it equitable.
Quarter-time Collingwood 4.4 (28) v Essendon 3.2 (20)
Sidebottom off the ground for Collingwood’s third! Mark Baguley looked to infringe as he ran into the square, but he soccered the goal through nonetheless. He follows up with a second in 30 seconds, this time with Baguley careering into the behind post as he attempts to tackle him. Hurley claims it’s touched, and we’ll have a score review. Very hard to tell if it has hit the side of his wrist - I imagine this will be umpire’s call (which is a goal).
Decision is umpire’s call – and therefore a goal. Hurley hasn’t heard it and tries to take the kick-out. Reckon he might have touched that one... just judging by how convinced he was!
Updated
Q1 02:16 Collingwood 2.4 (16) v Essendon 3.2 (20)
Stringer is the first since Matthew Lloyd to kick two goals in the first quarter of an ANZAC day clash for Essendon. Looks set for the occasion. Essendon starting to get on top at the conclusion of this quarter - although Begley is icing the knee on the bench and likely (surely?) won’t take any further part.
Phillips forces a point for the Pies from a wayward snap.
Updated
Q1 04:42 Collingwood 2.3 (15) v Essendon 3.2 (20)
Merrett tries to match the miracle goal, but his high-flying snap is off target. He’s straight back into the action again, however, this time with this 12th disposal – leading all-comers – and he finds Stringer on the lead for a chance at his second goal. He’ll kick from just outside 50, and nails it. Ominous signs from the Bombers’ star recruit.
Q1 05:53 Collingwood 2.3 (15) v Essendon 2.1 (13)
Looks like an injury to Josh Begley, who has hobbled off the ground and down into the race. That’s a worry for the Bombers in such a tight, tiring contest.
De Goey with a brilliant soccered goal! Daniher had lined up against Grundy in the ruck, who had been dominated by Bellchambers, but he’s off the ground. Grundy won the easy tap and with the ball deep inside 50, de Goey slid forward for a freak goal.
Q1 07:51 Collingwood 1.3 (9) v Essendon 2.1 (13)
Oh no, Reid drops a sitter from Pendlebury, he had all sorts of space from his defender. He picks up the ball and snaps at goal, but misses. The ball rockets down into the Bombers’ forward line, and Stringer lines up for a Stevie-J style snap. It’s straight through the middle.
Q1 09:40 Collingwood 1.2 (8) v Essendon 1.1 (7)
Zach Merrett up to nine disposals after his concussion-affected start to the season. Howe caught in a one-on-one with Daniher and wins the contested ball, but then turns it over to Matt Guelfi with a poor kick. Luckly for Howe, he misses with an equally poor kick.
Collingwood make them pay, Hoskin-Elliott down the other end picking off another nervy kick in defence.
Q1 12:15 Collingwood 0.2 (2) v Essendon 1.0 (6)
Collingwood on top in tackles - but largely because Essendon are winning the clearances. However, they’ve looked good and moved the ball fast when they’ve had it. Both teams looking good on the rebound, and both turning it over by foot. Hurley’s intercept marking making a difference for the Dons in the backline.
Q1 15:24 Collingwood 0.2 (2) v Essendon 1.0 (6)
Back in the side, Jackson Merrett takes a nice chest mark after being hit up by Dyson Heppell. It’s a shocker, off the side of the boot – looks to be heading out of bounds on the full, but Daniher takes the mark between two defenders and snaps the goal before they can get to their feet.
Wonderful crowd in as I said, half the ground bathed in sunlight and the other in shade.
Q1 17:38 Collingwood 0.2 (2) v Essendon 0.0 (0)
Essendon dominating possession early but so far can’t hit the scoreboard, with just an out of bounds (via the point post) from Devon Smith. Collingwood, by contrast run the ball with fluency down the ground to set up Ben Reid with a nice contested grab. Great stuff by Varcoe to keep the ball just inside the boundary on the run. Reid hits the post from about 15m out, little angle.
Updated
Collingwood win the toss, will kick to Punt Rd end
This game is about to get underway, and it looks like the ground is packed. I’ll get an official figure for you when we have one. Essendon’s sash is looking particularly impressive, made up of poppies.
Essendon’s jumper today is the first thing I’ve ever liked about them #AFLPiesDons
— Sally Miller (@sallymilleraus) April 25, 2018
There’s a free before the ball is even bounced, against Jake Stringer in his first ever ANZAC clash...
The minute’s silence was mostly observed
I admit I thought the phone might’ve been ringing in the office, but seems it was at the ‘G.
So quiet you could hear a bird singing and someone’s phone ringing. Incredible moment. Nothing like ANZAC Day at the MCG. Been three times - more affecting than the Grand Final for mine. #AFLPiesDons
— Kitch 🇦🇺 (@kitchtrips) April 25, 2018
There’s a familiar face at the ‘G today
This man knows a thing or two about Anzac Day football.#AFLPiesDons pic.twitter.com/OkanVy78ol
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 25, 2018
The reaction on Twitter hasn’t exactly been complimentary so far.
We’re listening to the New Zealand national anthem currently.
Updated
Should the game be played between different teams?
Enjoyed this article from Richard Hinds during the week, questioning whether the traditional occasion should be extended beyond Collingwood and Essendon.
His suggestion is to rotate the clash between all 18 clubs – to ensure that each club plays once every nine years, and perhaps sooner when the game falls on the weekend.
One person who wouldn’t love that is my friend Steph, whose birthday happens to fall on ANZAC day and attends every year with her husband-to-be, Ben, who barracks for Collingwood! Happy Birthday Steph!
What do you think about sharing the day around? Would love your thoughts!
Updated
Teams have run through the joint banner
Together on #AnzacDay ❤️#AFLPiesDons #AFL pic.twitter.com/tbMM61lzai
— AFL (@AFL) April 25, 2018
Both are now lined up on the MCG for the traditional ANZAC procession and presentation which will culminate in The Last Post.
Powell-Pepper suspension released
Yes, it’s not about this current game but I’ve just been tied up reading and publishing the latest on the Port Adelaide midfielder’s suspension for “inappropriate contact with a female”.
You can read all about it here:
Welcome
Hello everyone and welcome to this edition of the traditional ANZAC day clash between Collingwood and Essendon.
I’ll be with you in just a moment.
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