But just what is it that gives ANZAC Day at the ‘G it's air of greatness? We reflect on 15 years of one of footy's finest fixtures...
1995 - Collingwood 17.9 111 drew with Essendon 16.15 111 (94,825)
The original, and unanimously thought the best, this ANZAC blockbuster had the lot. 94,825 saw a back-and-forth battle ultimately ended in a stalemate. In just his second season for the Pies, a young Nathan Buckley amassed an impressive 30 touches, also kicking a goal. Although it was Buckley that ultimately took the three Brownlow votes, it was an incredibly dominant nine-goal display from Saverio Rocca, whose boot nearly proved the difference between the two sides.
1996 - Essendon 16.9 105 def. by Collingwood 17.15 117 (87,549)
The highly-anticipated replay saw the Bombers leap out of the blocks with an impressive seven-goal first quarter. The Pies slowly whittled down the margin all day, finally running over their opponents and hitting the lead in the final quarter. Tony Francis and Scott Russell were instrumental for the Pies; Big Sav again a dominant presence, kicking 6.3. But, perhaps the biggest talking point to come out of the game was a young James Hird's four-goal, 23 possession performance that would ultimately foreshadow his huge influence on future ANZAC clashes.
1997 - Essendon 10.10 70 def. by Collingwood 14.15 99 (83,271)
Following an impressive start to the season and renewed optimism under Tony Shaw, the Pies recorded a dominant victory on ANZAC Day, to take a decisive lead in the head-to-head. Collingwood simply was simply in front all day, the new Rocca-brothers combination having 10 scoring shots between them. An impressive all-round display from ‘Monkey' Monkhorst netted him three Brownlow votes.
Nathan Buckley celebrates the ANZAC Day victory in 1997
1998 - Collingwood 15.18 108 def. Essendon 12.16 88 (81,542)
Another solid start to the season (albeit an ultimately forgettable one), and another Collingwood victory on the 25th. Nathan Buckley starred with 26 telling touches, and Sav was back to his ANZAC best, kicking 7.4. A sight that few would remember was a young Chris Tarrant - only in his third AFL game - who picked up only a sole handball. It wouldn't be long, however, until he would have his say on these epic matches.
1999 - Essendon 15.18 108 def. Collingwood 15.10 100 (73,118)
The year of 1999 is a painful one for any Collingwood supporter to reflect on, ANZAC Day, however, was one of the more spirited performances. 32-points down at quarter-time, the Buckley-less Pies were always going to be up against it. With the Rocca brothers not getting a scoring shot between them, Paul Williams put in a heroic effort, with a five-goal (straight), 16 possession performance. It was not enough to overcome the strengthening Dons, who, led by a six-goal bag from Matthew Lloyd, finally broke through for their first ANZAC victory.
2000 - Collingwood 15.10 100 def. by Essendon 21.14 140 (88,390)
After an impressive 5-0 start to the season under new coach Mick Malthouse, as well as an exciting array of fresh talent, things were looking bright for the Pies. Coming up against the only other undefeated side in the league, Collingwood kept up admirably, before a powerful Essendon side blew them away in the final quarter, going on to drop one match on the way to achieving its record-breaking premiership. James Hird won the inaugural ANZAC Medal, with the umpires (unforgivably) overlooking Nathan Buckley's 31 possession, four-goal effort in Brownlow votes.
ANZAC Day Medallist: James Hird (Ess) - 29 disposals, 2.2 goals
A volunteer sells ANZAC badges outside the old Northern Stand at the MCG
2001 - Essendon 15.13 103 def. Collingwood 14.11 95 (83,905)
In a typically hard-fought contest, the Pies ran out of legs against the reigning premiers, after trailing by a single point at the final change. It wasn't all bad news for the Pies, however, with some impressive displays in the young midfield from Ryan Lonie and Tarkyn Lockyer. The real bright spot of the day was ANZAC Day Medallist Chris Tarrant's five-goal haul.
ANZAC Day Medallist: Chris Tarrant (Coll) - 13 disposals, 9 marks, 5.1 goals
2002 - Collingwood 9.12 66 def. Essendon 4.9 33 (84,894)
Oh sweetness. There is not a true Collingwood supporter alive that could forget the moment: Rain pouring down, a triumphant Nathan Buckley, back-arched, raised both hands, signalling a telling final quarter goal and, indeed, the moment that the ‘dark days' of Collingwood were over. The day was a release for the football club; a purging of those memories. James Hird was soundly beat by an inspirational James Clement, whilst a 17-year old Mark McGough made a name for himself. Simply brilliant.
ANZAC Day Medallist: Mark McGough (Coll) - 24 disposals, 6 marks
Nathan Buckley rejoices in 2002
2003 - Essendon 23.9 147 def. Collingwood 12.9 81 (62,589)
In what was the most stark of contrasts to the previous year's efforts, ANZAC 2003 was lamentable. Essendon dominated from the first bounce, absolutely burying the Magpies in the final term. It was Hird who made the thrashing hurt most, having a blinder in the midfield, and finding time to kick a bag too. Buckley stood a lone beacon of light, fiercely collecting 37 disposals. Malthouse branded the effort the ‘worst' in his time at the club.
ANZAC Day Medallist: James Hird (Ess) - 27 disposals, 5.0 goals
A Navy Seahawk helicopter comes into land on ANZAC Day 2003
2004 - Collingwood 11.13 79 def. by Essendon 17.10 112 (57,294)
A struggling Collingwood outfit showed promising signs against the Bombers. But after trailing by 25-points at the first change, never really challenged. Mark McGough was certainly Collingwood's best, notching up 29 touches, and almost snatching the medal away from another impressive Hird display.
ANZAC Day Medallist: James Hird (Ess) - 23 disposals, 9 marks, 3.0 goals
2005 - Essendon 11.17 83 def. Collingwood 10.9 69 (70,033)
A fiery and desperate encounter. A brawl before the opening bounce, James Hird reported in the first minute - this game had it all. In a match that Collingwood was expected to win, Essendon proved that on ANZAC Day, anything can happen. Andrew Lovett inspired the Bombers to a victory that was an ultimately disappointing day for the Pies. Rhyce Shaw held his head high with 32 touches and a goal.
ANZAC Day Medallist: Andrew Lovett (Ess) - 20 disposals, 7 marks, 2.1 goals
Ben Johnson walks to the stage to accept the 2006 ANZAC Medal
2006 - Collingwood 15.16 106 def. Essendon 12.17 89 (91,234)
Collingwood broke through for its first ANZAC Day win since 2002, with a hard-fought 17-point triumph. Ben Johnson was brilliant, finally seen to combine his talent for winning the ball with effective and damaging disposal. Alan Didak was terrific with four goals, whilst Heath Shaw's 25-disposal effort was a little stiff to miss out on the prize, which Johnson collected amidst confusion as the now-infamous ‘Craig Johnson' was declared the recipient.
ANZAC Day Medallist: Ben Johnson (Coll) - 30 disposals, 10 marks
2007 - Essendon 11.13 79 def. by Collingwood 12.23 95 (90,508)
Stringing together their first two ANZAC victories in a row since '97-'98, the Pies dominated after conceding three quick goals. Aside from some terrible yips in front of goal, Collingwood's performance was absolutely terrific, with Didak and Rocca sharing goals, newcomer Harry O'Brien and James Clement toweling-up Scott Lucas and Matthew Lloyd, respectively, and Heath Shaw putting in an undeniably best-on-ground performance to take home the medal. The match squared the ANZAC Day ledger to six-victories apiece.
ANZAC Day Medallist: Heath Shaw (Coll) - 32 disposals, 13 marks
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Nick Maxwell and Dale Thomas proudly show off the ANZAC Trophy in 2007
2008 - Collingwood 23.16 154 def. Essendon 12.9 81 (88,999)
A resounding victory. The Pies flexed their muscles for the first time in the 2008 season, showing off a fiercely potent forward line, led by the fast-improving Travis Cloke, who took 14 marks for a 5 goal haul. Scott Pendlebury raised his hand for medal contention with an outstanding 33 disposals, but the day belonged to Paul Medhurst whose six goal game aptly marked his Collingwood rebirth.
ANZAC Day Medallist: Paul Medhurst (Coll) - 17 disposals, 6 goals
2009 - Essendon 13.15 93 def. Collingwood 12.16 88 (84,829)
2009 saw as remarkable an ANZAC Day contest that we’ve seen. After a close contested swayed either way for three quarters, Collingwood looked to have Essendon on ice. The Bombers, who lost sole ruckman David Hille early in the match, were trailing by 14 points with less than five minutes remaining. In a heart wrenching turn for Collingwood fans, the Bombers remarkably slammed on three goals in four minutes, and made fourth gamer David Zaharakis a household name.
ANZAC Day Medallist: Patrick Ryder (Ess) - 27 hitouts, 16 possessions, 1 goal
At 3-1, the Pies have made a solid start to 2010. Whilst they don’t need any extra motivation for the 25th, you can bet they’re ready to atone for those dying moments in 2009.
Floreat Pica.
