COLLINGWOOD has gone down to Essendon in a thrilling Anzac Day encounter at the MCG on Saturday after first-year Bomber David Zaharakis kicked the winning goal with just seconds remaining.
The Pies' three-match winning streak over the Dons looked to be extended when they had a 14-point lead at the 25-minute mark of the last quarter.
But the Bombers mustered a late surge to prevail 13.15 (93) to 12.16 (88) and square the Anzac Day ledger at seven wins each.
The match had barely got underway when Essendon was dealt a harsh blow – the loss of ruckman David Hille with what appeared to be a serious knee injury after he landed awkwardly when marking alone on the wing.
In Hille's absence, Essendon's Patrick Ryder thrived in the ruck and was awarded the Anzac Medal as the best player on the ground.
Although it was a see-sawing contest all day, the dying stages were heart-stopping.
With moments to go, Leroy Jetta had the opportunity to seal the match when he was free and close to goal. But just as the rain started to fall, Jetta spilled the slippery ball and a desperate Harry O'Brien lunged to make sure it was a rushed for a behind.
Just as Essendon's opportunity for a victory looked lost, Zaharakis pounced to give his side a win to savour.
Dane Swan was Collingwood's best with a game-high 37 disposals, while Leon Davis (32) and Scott Pendlebury (30) were also good.
In his 200th game, Simon Prestigiacomo kept Essendon Matthew Lloyd goalless.
The match had plenty from the word go.
Moments after Hille's setback, the ball was sent quickly inside Collingwood's 50, where Anthony Rocca opened proceedings. A late call-up for Alan Didak, debutant Brent Macaffer soon got in on the act, adding his side's second from his first AFL kick.
Essendon peppered the sticks midway through the term, yet all it could muster was five successive behinds. It took 23 minutes before the Dons landed their first via Winderlich.
But a Travis Cloke major after the quarter-time siren gave Collingwood a 15-point lead.
The Bombers stepped up in the second term, booting three in a row to snatch the lead for the first time.
Although the remainder of the term was goal-for-goal – Jack Anthony booted two during this period – the scores were locked at the half time break, setting up a potential nail-biter.
The third term was noted for hard-fought goals – just five were added – and bruised bodies, as the Dons took a nine-point advantage heading into the final break.
But the Bombers had held a 17-point buffer.
Early in the quarter, Paul Medhurst came from the field after sustaining a knock, but he came back to play out the term. Bomber Sam Lonergan also clashed heads with Pie Leigh Brown, with both players needing attention on the sidelines.
However, the Pies surged early in the final term and when they kicked four of the first five goals, they led by 11 points.
But when Rocca's goal was disallowed at the 23-minute mark, resulting in the 50-metre penalty to Essendon, the pendulum swung Essendon's way.
Goals to Leroy Jetta and Ricky Dyson followed at the 26 and 27-minute marks and when Zaharakis kicked truly with 30 minutes played, the Pies were denied victory.
Essendon 1.5 6.6 9.13 13.15 (93)
Collingwood 4.2 6.6 8.10 12.16 (88)
GOALS
Essendon: Dyson 2, Lovett 2, Davey, Jetta, Lonergan, McPhee, Monfries, Ryder, Stanton, Winderlich, Zaharakis
Collingwood: Anthony 4, Davis 2, L. Brown, Cloke, Macaffer, Medhurst, Pendlebury, Rocca
BEST
Essendon: Ryder, Stanton, McPhee, Watson, Fletcher, Dyson, Winderlich
Collingwood: Swan, Anthony, Prestigiacomo, Davis, Pendlebury, O'Bree
INJURIES
Essendon: David Hille (knee), Mark McVeigh (ankle) replaced in selected side by Ricky Dyson
Collingwood: Shane O'Bree (shoulder), Alan Didak (calf) replaced in selected side by Brent Macaffer
Reports: Nil
Umpires: Rosebury, Stevic, Ryan
Official crowd: 84,829 at the MCG
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.
