Australian Football

Match Report

The annual ANZAC Day match between Essendon and Collingwood produced an entertaining affair, with the Bombers leading for much of a wet afternoon, seeing off several Magpie challenges to win by 18 points. The win was the Dons' first on ANZAC Day since 2013, breaking a run of three consecutive Collingwood wins on the day. While the win took Essendon into the top eight, for the Magpies pressure is building, particularly on coach Nathan Buckley after a fourth loss just five weeks into the season.

Essendon drew first blood in the match, with a mark and goal to Joe Daniher after just two minutes. A long goal to Aaron Francis four minutes later gave Essendon a two-goal lead, but an easy mark and goal to Jamie Elliott gave Collingwood its first goal after seven minutes. Cale Hooker extended Essendon's lead with his first at the 12-minute mark, and the Bombers looked to be getting right on top when Orazio Fantasia's first put them 17 points clear early in time on. The Dons added two further behinds and went to the first break in control, leading by 19.

Jamie Elliott got the Magpies' second quarter off to a great start with a goal inside the first two minutes, after which a Mason Cox snap was deemed touched off the boot. Another rushed behind saw the Pies within 11 points but a nice snap from Orazio Fantasia had the Dons back out to a three-goal lead after 11 minutes. They added two further behinds but a good snap from Steele Sidebottom had the margin back to 14 points midway through the term.

A strong tackle by Dyson Heppell on Adam Treloar was rewarded with a free kick and goal, putting Essendon 20 points clear. From there, though, the Magpies took complete control until the half-time break. They added goals through Alex Fasolo and Adam Treloar but in between those two majors missed several gettable shots at goal. When the half-time siren came, they were back within three points, and very much had the momentum.

The Bombers came out firing after half time, but they too wasted opportunities, adding three behinds before Cale Hooker marked and kicked a beautiful long goal from an angle to give Essendon a 12-point lead. Collingwood kicked another behind through Fasolo before Josh Green grabbed a loose ball and kicked truly, putting the Dons 17 points clear. The tide then turned again, and goals to Elliott, ex-Kangaroo Daniel Wells and Darcy Moore saw the Magpies grab a one-point lead midway through the term. Essendon responded immediately with a lovely long goal on the run from Daniher, and then followed up with further goals to Fantasia and Green before a second goal to Wells had the Pies back within nine points at the last change.

Collingwood had a chance to kick the all-important first goal of the final quarter but a hurried snap from Brodie Grundy missed. From there the Bombers went 'coast to coast' with Fantasia marking and kicking his fourth goal, giving Essendon a 14-point lead. Two minutes later Green had his third and the Bombers' lead was out to 19 points, and when Hooker marked and goaled at the nine-minute mark, Essendon was 26 points clear. Collingwood managed to kick two of the remaining three goals of the match, but they were mere consolation prizes, the Dons triumphant by 18 points in the end.

Joe Daniher (three goals, eight marks) was one of the Bombers' best, taking home thew ANZAC Day Medal, while Jeremy Howe (30 possessions, eight marks) played a very good game for the Magpies.

In the eight with three wins from five games, the Bombers will go into next Sunday's match at Docklands against a depleted Melbourne side full of confidence. Collingwood, 13th on the ladder with a 1-4 record, faces a very tough challenge at the MCG on the same day, where it will take on the undefeated Geelong.

GOALS
Essendon: Fantasia 4; Green, Daniher, Hooker 3; Francis, Heppell
Collingwood: Elliott 3; Moore, Wells 2; Sidebottom, Fasolo, Treloar, Crisp

BEST - AFL.COM.AU
Essendon: Daniher, Merrett, Parish, Hurley, Watson, Fantasia, McDonald-Tipungwuti, Kelly
Collingwood: Howe, Wells, Treloar, Sidebottom, Elliott

BEST - THE AGE
Essendon: Daniher, Fantasia, Heppell, Merrett, Hurley, Watson, Parish, Green
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Treloar, Adams, Elliott, Howe, Wells

ANZAC DAY MEDAL: Joe Daniher (Essendon)

INJURIES
Essendon: Jobe Watson (cut head)
Collingwood: Tim Broomhead (jaw), Brodie Grundy (corked calf)

UMPIRES: Margetts, Nicholls, Kamolins

TELEVISION BROADCAST: Seven Network

COMMENTATORS: Bruce McAvaney, Brian Taylor, Leigh Matthews, Matthew Richardson, Tim Watson, Nick Maxwell