Next man up mentality

Our forward line has looked different each week so far this season and that lack of continuity in the lineup has been challenging. While, as Craig McRae put it, we're "working with what we've got" and players are "bobbing in and out to play roles", the collective accuracy in front of goal on Sunday was staggering. Eight individual goal scorers kicked 15.3.

Ginnivan at his best

Jack Ginnivan made a statement on the big stage, booting five goals (the first Collingwood player to kick five on ANZAC Day since Paul Medhurst in 2008) in a stunning performance that earned him the ANZAC Day medal. All this in only his 10th game. The small forward has now kicked 11 goals from five appearances.

Howe reliable as ever

In game number 201, Jeremy Howe grabbed 13 marks (four contested), made nine intercepts and had four score involvements. He operated at 90.9 percent disposal efficiency on Sunday - the ball is in safe hands with Howey. He was the coaching group's MVP this round.

Defensive half firing

Collingwood scored 56 points from turnovers, with 44 from defensive half chains. Our forward pressure forced five turnovers inside 50 (resulting in three goals), while we only turned the ball over in our defensive 50 once.

We won't die wondering

"We just want to be a team who has a go," Fly said in his post-match press conference. "Twice in the last quarter Essendon hit the front and we found a way to come back - that shows great spirit. We want to make some moves and try to generate something. We will get some things wrong and some things right... but we won't die wondering."