Ranking the top 10 Essendon v Collingwood Anzac Day games

Two of the oldest and most decorated clubs in the league have made it a tradition to battle it out at the MCG on Anzac Day, when our country honours its fallen soldiers. Collingwood has won the majority of the 30 matches, winning 18 to Essendon's 10 (along with two draws). Club legends Scott Pendlebury and James Hird for Collingwood and Essendon respectively, are tied with the most Anzac Medals at three each all-time. Here's my ranking of the top 10 Anzac Day games between the two historic clubs before they meet again on Saturday for the 31st consecutive year at the MCG. 2006 Collingwood 15.16 (106) defeated Essendon 12.17 (89) Losing the last three ANZAC Day matches to Essendon, the Pies were eager to turn the tide and change the narrative going into another meeting. Only leading by seven points at three-quarter time, Alan Didak would deliver a stellar performance for Collingwood, booting four goals to go along with his 19 disposals and give his club the 17-point win. 1999 Essendon 15.13 (108) defeated Collingwood 15.10 (100) The Bombers' first Anzac Day win against Collingwood did not disappoint in terms of thrill. After getting out to a 38-point lead at quarter-time, the Bombers survived a late comeback by Collingwood, after the Pies stepped up with a four goals to one assault in the final quarter. Essendon wouldn't have been able to hold on without Matthew Lloyd's six goals. [caption id="attachment_9856" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 21: James Hird #5 and Matthew Lloyd #18 for the Bombers celebrate a goal during the round twenty one AFL match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at the M.C.G. on August 21, 2005 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)[/caption] 2024 Essendon 12.13 (85) tied Collingwood 12.13 (85) A close game no one saw coming, Essendon surged out to an early 19-point lead after the first quarter, before Collingwood kept it within a goal most of the game. Kyle Langford kicked back-to-back majors in the fourth to extend the lead, but missed his last one with 1.50 remaining on the clock from 30m out directly in front. 2014 Collingwood 12.23 (95) defeated Essendon 11.13 (79) One of the bigger comebacks in the league's history, Collingwood went goalless in the first term before surging to a 59-point turnaround to snatch the win from Essendon's hands. Down six goals midway through the second quarter, Collingwood and in particular their star, Dane Swan, started to lift. Swan carried the load on the day with 26 disposals to cap off four goals, setting up the win. 2019 Collingwood 10.13 (73) defeated Essendon 10.9 (69) Down 23 points at quarter-time, Essendon surged on the back of four goals from Joe Daniher and lowered the deficit to two goals heading into the final term. Mark Baguley brought the Bombers within three points for his third goal of the game, until Jordan De Goey ruined the party and snapped one with 10 minutes remaining to allow Collingwood to hold on for the win. 2023 Collingwood 13.12 (90) defeated Essendon 11.11 (77) Essendon took control of the game early, kicking six goals in three quarters, as Collingwood stared down the barrel of a 28-point deficit at three-quarter time. Calling on their new club cornerstone, Nick Daicos, the Pies kicked seven goals to zero in the fourth quarter to secure the win, including two majors from Daicos that added to his 40 disposals and nine score involvements in what was a legacy game from the 20-year-old superstar. [caption id="attachment_138147" align="alignnone" width="2048"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 25: Nick Daicos of the Magpies poses for a photo after winning the Anzac medal during the 2023 AFL Round 06 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 25, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)[/caption] 2001 Essendon 15.13 (103) defeated Collingwood 14.11 (95) Two of the league's best, James Hird and Nathan Buckley, went toe-to-toe in a grudge fest layered with five lead changes. Essendon led most of the game, with Rupert Betheras snagging a major in the final term to bring Collingwood within two points. Though much like the rest of the game, Essendon would respond in kind and this time it would be through the likes of Paul Barnard in the final minutes, who booted the sealer for the win and notched his fourth of the game. 2012 Collingwood 11.14 (80) defeated Essendon 11.13 (79) The closest win in ANZAC Day game history went down to the wire and it could have swayed either club's way if it weren't for some late-game heroics. Collingwood had the star power, with big games from Dane Swan (42 disposals and 3 goals) and Scott Pendlebury (34 disposals) that helped them win the midfield battle. Brent Stanton converted a major for Essendon with just a few minutes remaining, but time still ticked for Jarryd Blair to kick the winner and get Collingwood over the line after a grueling waiting period for the score review. [caption id="attachment_13057" align="alignnone" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 16: Jarryd Blair of the Magpies celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 04 match between the Collingwood Magpies and the St Kilda Saints at Etihad Stadium on April 16, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media/Getty Images)[/caption] 1995 Collingwood 17.9 (111) tied with Essendon 16.15 (111) What started the Anzac Day game tradition was one for the AFL history books in terms of its spectacle and the controversial finish it had. In front of 94,825 supporters (the biggest attendance for an Anzac Day match), Essendon was leading by two goals at the half until Collingwood's seven goals to two in the third term put them in front. Saverio Rocca was dominant, kicking nine goals, but it wasn't enough to get the Pies or even the Bombers the win in the end. 2009 Essendon 13.15 (93) defeated Collingwood 12.16 (88) The number one on the list should come to no one's surprise, except maybe dissatisfied Collingwood supporters. With Essendon trailing by 14 points with less than five minutes remaining after a four-goal quarter from the Pies, hope looked dim until the most unlikely of moments graced the field. The last kick of the game was from Essendon's David Zaharakis 45m out that glided between the two big sticks for his first goal in the AFL and the matchwinner. [caption id="attachment_21260" align="alignnone" width="1280"] David Zaharakis[/caption]

		P	W	L	PTS	%
1	SYD	6	5	1	20	173.3
2	FRE	6	5	1	20	142.7
3	HAW	6	5	1	20	118.2
4	GC	6	4	2	16	126.9
5	NMFC	6	4	2	16	120.8
6	GEEL	6	4	2	16	116.1
7	WB	6	4	2	16	102
8	MELB	6	4	2	16	94.2
9	BL	6	3	3	12	111.7
10	ADEL	6	3	3	12	105.3

Ranking the top 10 Essendon v Collingwood Anzac Day games

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