In the beginning...
2000
Smokin' Joe Misiti is first to the ball on ANZAC Day, 2000, as James Hird, Nathan Buckley and Jason Johnson close in. The Bombers came out on top by 40 points.
Coach Mick Malthouse chats to the retiring Gavin Crosisca at three-quarter time of the 1990 premiership hero's final match in round 22, 2000, at the MCG.
The end of an era. The last members of the 1990 premiership, Gavin Crosisca and Gavin Brown, call time on their careers in round 22, 2000. Nathan Buckley and Tyson Lane chair off Crosisca while Anthony Rocca and Chris Tarrant take care of Brown. Tarrant is a unique player in this photo - he bridges the gap between several Collingwood eras, having played with the last remaining stars of 1990 and alongside the champions of 2012.
2001
Ryan Lonie bounced into the side and off the half back flank in the early rounds of 2001 and showed that he wasn't daunted by the big crowds when he kicked two important goals on ANZAC Day, 2001.
Tarkyn Lockyer ran into trouble in round 20, 2001, when he was collected - first, the ball and then teammate Jarrod Molloy - and badly concussed under the MCG lights as he went to tackle Essendon's Mark Mercuri. Lockyer was forced to sit out the club's final game of the year against the Kangaroos at Manuka Oval as a result.
2002
Singing in the rain on ANZAC Day, 2002, in one of the club's most famous victories this millenium.
Fifteen weeks later, it was a different Collingwood team that met Essendon on a Saturday night at the 'G. The Magpies were never in the hunt, losing to the Bombers by 55 points. Rupert Betheras is pictured trying to gather the loose ball in front of Joe Misiti.
2003
James Hird always seemed to save his best for matches against Collingwood. He was dominant on ANZAC Day 2003, particularly in the final quarter, but it was Anthony Rocca and Collingwood who got the jump on Aaron Henneman's Bombers with a 16-point win in round 22.
2004
Collingwood's middling start to 2004 left Joffa and the faithful wondering what was going on.
A clean skinned Dane Swan runs away from Adam Ramanauskas in his sixth league game on a gloomy ANZAC Day.
Nathan Buckley cops a whack to the face as he's tackled by Mark Mercuri on a Friday night in round 20, 2004.
2005
Scott Burns tangles with James Hird on ANZAC Day.
Down by 19 points at three quarter time, Mick Malthouse launches into his Collingwood players as their disappointing form continues. Chad Morrison, Julian Rowe and Paul Licuria are caught in the crossfire as the coach lets his men know exactly how he feels. The spray earned Collingwood two early goals, but it wasn't enough as the Dons downed the Pies by 14 points.
Collingwood's dismal season continued when Essendon kicked six goals to two in the first quarter in round 16, but Nathan Buckley was (as always) the shining light, kicking five goals against first-gamer Jay Nash.
2006
All hail the new pin up boy. Dale Thomas kicked a vital goal early in the last quarter on ANZAC Day 2006 as he announced himself to the faithful.
The players put their hands together for Ben Johnson, who was awarded the ANZAC Medal as best afield. It was a part of his outstanding 2006 season that saw him finish runner up in the Copeland Trophy for the second time in three years. He also earned a new nickname - Craig - after the Medal was initially awarded to 'Craig Johnson'.
Halfway through the last quarter in round 19, 2006, Dane Swan caught James Hird napping, zipping past a stationary Hird at half forward to gather and storm into an open goal. It leveled the scores, but the Bombers bounced out of the centre bounce to goal through Kepler Bradley and went on their merry way to win by 13 points. As a result, Collingwood missed out on a double chance in September.
2007
Gentleman Jimmy Clement accepted the ANZAC Day Trophy in Nathan Buckley's absence in round five, 2007. Dale Thomas couldn't hide his happiness.
Mr Magic himself, Leon Davis, set the Magpies on their way to a win over Essendon in round 16. Only four days later, it was announced that Kevin Sheedy would leave Windy Hill.
2008
Paul Medhurst was king of the MCG when he won the ANZAC Day Medal for his six goals in the 73-point win.
Jack Anthony illustrates Collingwood's disappointment after it slumped to its second defeat in as many weeks in round 17.
2009
We really didn't want to publish this photo...
...but we're more than happy to post this one. Nick Maxwell celebrates with the fans after the 35-point win over the Dons on a Friday night in round 14.
2010
Luke Ball and Sharrod Wellingham toast Collingwood's roaring start to the 2010 ANZAC Day clash.
Josh Fraser silenced the crowd with a mercurial goal from the boundary line during Collingwood's 65-point win on ANZAC Day 2010. Fraser kicked three goals and had 19 possessions, earning his final Brownlow vote.
By round 20, Jarryd Blair had begun to cement himself in Collingwood's first-choice side. He gathered 28 disposals and kicked two goals in his team's 98-point drubbing of the Dons under the Friday night lights.
2011
A dreadlocked Scott Pendlebury roars his delight, goaling after the siren to sew up a five-goal win to the Magpies. Pendlebury also received his second ANZAC Medal in as many seasons as a result of his 34 disposals and three goals.
Who is as fresh as Fasolo? No one. Not when you're kicking five goals in only your sixth senior game.
2012
ANZAC Day 2012. Welcome to the future.
It's been a great 13 years since we first met the Bombers this millenium with the promise of plenty more to come. Go Pies!
