It's a sombre day, is ANZAC Day.

A day Australians come together to recall with reverence of the sacrifices of the men and women who have served this country.

Since 1995, two of of the nation's biggest sporting clubs have gone head to head on April 25th, serving up countless classics to do their part in honouring the servicemen and women the day celebrates.

Collingwood, and Essendon. Two Victorian powerhouses who, over the years, have seen their colours adorned by some of the codes biggest names. Here's a ranking of 10 of the very best players who have featured in the Magpies v Bombers showpiece since its inception. It's some list if Gavin Brown and Nick Daicos can't get a gig!

7. Paul Salmon

"Fish". A player who overcame significant adversity to revolutionise expectations of what a modern key position commodity could achieve.

A revelation at full forward in his early days, Salmon missed the 1984 Essendon premiership with a significant knee injury, but would feature in the club's 1985 and 1993 triumphs.

In his first stint with the Bombers, the goliath notched 509 goals from 209 games (2.43 per game), and was a constant threat in front of the sticks. The luxury of playing Salmon behind the great Simon Madden was one master coach Kevin Sheedy maximised expertly, in one of his very savviest coaching moves.

He would defect to Hawthorn, and reinvent himself as one of the league's great ruckmen. In the brown and gold, he would notch two club champion wins, and his third All-Australian blazer.

Sheedy lured Salmon out of retirement for a final season with the Bombers in 2002, but a semi-final exit spelled the end of his career in earnest. 

Two flags, three blazers, seven club leading goalkicker gongs, Hawthorn Team of the Century member, Essendon and AFL Hall of Fame membership and a permanent fixture in conversations about the league's great big men characterise a glittering resume for North Ringwood's finest.

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