The Magpies defeated the Bombers, 1.17.5 (116) to 3.6.10 (73), in front of a crowd of 26,154 to book a place in next weekend’s NAB Cup Grand Final against either Carlton or Geelong.
Collingwood is now aiming for its first pre-season/night series win since 1979, back when Tom Hafey was coach, Ray Shaw was skipper and the competition was known as the Escort Cup.
The Magpies led at every change, but it was their four-goal advantage at quarter-time and the efforts of Anthony that proved most vital in the overall result.
Anthony, now in his fourth AFL-listed season, booted the first goal of the night and added five goals in the second half to record his best effort in an official AFL match.
Collingwood duo Martin Clarke and Dane Swan gained 24 disposals, while Dale Thomas and Shannon Cox were also good contributors.
Brent Stanton was Essendon's leading ball-winner with 24 touches, while Bachar Houli (22) was the only other Don to collect 20-plus disposals.
The Magpies controlled the opening quarter with six goals – including a super-goal to Dayne Beams – as the Dons posted two majors. As a result, Collingwood took a 25-point lead into the first change.
Essendon added just two goals in the second term – although Paddy Ryder contributed a nine-point long-bomb – yet Collingwood added another four goals, extending its lead to 34 points at the long break.
The Dons wasted some opportunities in front of goal, including one from ex-Crow Hayden Skipworth, who floated a set-shot kick on the full, from well inside 50.
A six-pointer from Scott Lucas and a super-goal courtesy of Dyson early in the second half helped reduce the margin back to 23 points, but when the Pies added three in a row, it was always going to be tough for the Dons.
And when Anthony landed his fifth at the 26-minute mark of the third term, the Magpies were up by 40 points heading into the final term.
Although ruckman Tom Bellchambers kicked truly in the opening minute of the final term, giving the Dons a faint sniff, it wasn't until mid-way through the term when they added their next major via skipper Matthew Lloyd.
Anthony then bobbed up with two more soon after and the Pies were well and truly home.
In another positive for the Magpies, debutants Steele Sidebottom and Jaxson Barham looked comfortable at AFL level in their first hitouts for the club.
Barham showed no hesitation, tearing into contests and throwing his weight around, while first-round pick Sidebottom patrolled the midfield and forward line to finish with 19 possessions.
Meanwhile, tall defender Michael Hurley and midfielder David Zaharakis – selected by Essendon at No.5 and No.23 respectively in last year's NAB AFL Draft – also played their first games.
The highly-rated Hurley had a tough first night at the office, spending some time on Anthony, as Zaharakis collected four disposals.
Essendon will play North Melbourne in the final week of the NAB Challenge next Friday night at its VFL affiliate venue Bendigo.
Collingwood 1.5.1 1.9.4 1.14.4 1.17.5 (116)
Essendon 0.2.3 1.3.6 2.5.9 3.6.10 (73)
GOALS
Collingwood: Nine-point goals: Beams. Goals: Anthony 7, Bryan 2, Thomas 2, Didak 2, Davis, Lockyer, Pendlebury, Cloke.
Essendon: Nine-point goals: Ryder, Dyson, Lloyd. Goals: Dyson, Williams, Hille, Lucas, Dempsey, Bellchambers.
BEST
Collingwood: Anthony, Bryan, Goldsack, Davis, Didak, Cox, Sidebottom.
Essendon: Dyson, Hille, Houli, Winderlich, Stanton.
INJURIES
Collingwood: Shaw (back)
Essendon: Nil
Reports: Nil
Umpires: M Nicholls, S Ryan, S Jeffery
Crowd: 26,154 at Telstra Dome
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
