1. Essendon's fast start
Who saw that coming? The Bombers went bang in the opening term, kicking the first five goals and leading by 31 points by quarter time. It was built on Brent Stanton's run and drive through the midfield, Cale Hooker's dominance in defence, and Paul Chapman's role as the lead-up man across half-forward. From those three, others followed, in the Bombers' best quarter of football since their round three win over Carlton.
2. Sidebottom's triple-header
Collingwood needed someone to step up and take control in the second quarter if they were a chance to get back in the game. Steele Sidebottom was the one. Sidebottom followed his seven disposals in the first term with eight in the second, which included three goals from close range. One was from a contentious mark which he duly converted, and the other two came from the Pies' forward group pushing the ball forward and Sidebottom ending up with it in his hands.
3. Swan breaks the deadlock
Dane Swan's third quarter went a long way to sealing him as the Anzac Medallist for 2014. The brilliant Magpie midfielder kicked two goals for the term, including a special one from the forward pocket, when he took two bounces and slotted it on his left foot. Few players in the competition would have been as capable. But he wasn't finished there. Late in the term he broke a tackle, danced around a few Bombers, steadied and kicked his third goal, giving his team an advantage they wouldn't surrender.
4. On their Merretts
Essendon has really liked the quick development of Zach Merrett in his first six or so months with the club since last year's NAB AFL Draft. It was clear why early in the game, and just as obvious early in the last quarter, when the small midfielder grabbed the ball in the Bombers' forward pocket. He feigned to his preferred left foot, and then went back onto his right, with his snap curling through for his first career goal. Minutes on his older brother Jackson kicked an important set shot goal from long range which gave the Bombers some hope. Jackson hit the post with a shot later on.
5. Toovey with the chase
Mark Thompson's men had momentum in the last quarter but couldn’t make the most of it. However, they hung in the game and were coming when they pushed the ball forward at the 13-minute mark. With the ball at the 50-metre mark, it was handballed to Jake Carlisle, who was running past into basically an open goal. But he didn't hear or see Alan Toovey coming, and was tackled and dispossessed. A goal would have cut the margin to eight points, and lifted the Essendon faithful.
6. Swan seals it
The Brownlow medallist's fourth goal effectively ended the contest, when he grabbed the ball at a stoppage and spun unto his left foot to snap it through. Swan had 26 disposals in the win, including four marks and five tackles and claimed best on ground for the second time in three Anzac Days. It continued his history of big games against the Bombers, who had a depleted midfield without Brendon Goddard, David Myers and Heath Hocking.
