Since 1995, the 25th of April has been etched into the AFL fixture as a date to rival even that last Saturday in September.

But just what is it that gives ANZAC Day at the ‘G it's air of greatness? We reflect on 22 years of one of footy's finest fixtures...

The original Collingwood ANZAC Day team - Round 4 1995
B: Hassall, A.Richardson, Crosisca
HB: Burns, Kelly, Watson
C: Buckley, Brown (c), Wright
HF: Williams, Brereton, Walker
F: Kerrison, S.Rocca, Curran
Foll: Monkhorst, McGuane, B.James
Int: Wild, A.James, Christian

The original Essendon ANZAC Day team - Round 4 1995
B: Wanganeen, Fletcher, Daniher
HB: Symons, Harvey, Cransberg
C: Long, O'Donnell, Olarenshaw
HF: Mercuri, Alessio, Hird
F: Young, Darcy, Cockatoo-Collins
R: Somerville, Misiti, Denham
Int: Grenvold, Fraser, O'Connor

1995 - Collingwood 17.9 111 drew with Essendon 16.15 111 (94,825)
The original, and unanimously thought the best, this ANZAC blockbuster had the lot. 94,825 saw a back-and-forth battle ultimately ended in a stalemate. In just his second season for the Pies, a young Nathan Buckley amassed an impressive 30 touches, also kicking a goal. Although it was Buckley that ultimately took the three Brownlow votes, it was an incredibly dominant nine-goal display from Saverio Rocca, whose boot nearly proved the difference between the two sides.

Goals - S.Rocca 9, B.James 3, Brereton, Buckley, Williams, Walker, McGuane
Best - S.Rocca, Buckley, McGuane, Monkhorst, Watson, Wright, Brereton

ANZAC Day Medallist: Saverio Rocca (Coll) - 13 disposals, 10 marks, 9.2 goals

1996 - Essendon 16.9 105 def. by Collingwood 17.15 117 (87,549)
The highly-anticipated replay saw the Bombers leap out of the blocks with an impressive seven-goal first quarter. The Pies slowly whittled down the margin all day, finally running over their opponents and hitting the lead in the final quarter. Tony Francis and Scott Russell were instrumental for the Pies; Big Sav again a dominant presence, kicking 6.3. But, perhaps  the biggest talking point to come out of the game was a young James Hird's four-goal, 23 possession performance that would ultimately foreshadow his huge influence on future ANZAC clashes.

Goals - S.Rocca 6, Brown 3, T.Francis, M.Francis, Buckley, Patterson, Williams, Curran
Best - T.Francis, Russell, Schuable, Curran, Williams, Wright, S.Rocca, Brown, Crosisca

ANZAC Day Medallist: Scott Russell (Coll) - 26 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 goal



The Magpies of 1997 line up for the Minute's Silence.

1997 - Essendon 10.10 70 def. by Collingwood 14.15 99 (83,271)
Following an impressive start to the season and renewed optimism under Tony Shaw, the Pies recorded a dominant victory on ANZAC Day, to take a decisive lead in the head-to-head.  Collingwood simply was simply in front all day, the new Rocca-brothers combination having 10 scoring shots between them. An impressive all-round display from 'Monkey' Monkhorst netted him three Brownlow votes.

Goals - S.Rocca 2, A.Rocca 2, Ahmat 2, Patterson 2, Williams, Buckley, Crow, Osborne, Wright
Best - Monkhorst, Brown, Buckley, Crow, Ahmat

ANZAC Day Medallist: Damien Monkhorst - 20 disposals, 13 hitouts, 1 tackle

1998 - Collingwood 15.18 108 def. Essendon 12.16 88 (81,542)
Another solid start to the season (albeit an ultimately forgettable one), and another Collingwood victory on the 25th. Nathan Buckley starred with 26 telling touches, and Sav was back to his ANZAC best, kicking 7.4. A sight that few would remember was a young Chris Tarrant - only in his third AFL game - who picked up only a sole handball. It wouldn't be long, however, until he would have his say on these epic matches.

Goals - S.Rocca 7, Fuller 3, Watson 2, A.Rocca, McDonald, Wright
Best - S.Rocca, Buckley, Patterson, McDonald, Crow, Russell

ANZAC Day Medallist: Saverio Rocca (Coll) - 20 disposals, 7.4 goals, 2 hitouts

1999 - Essendon 15.18 108 def. Collingwood 15.10 100 (73,118)
The year of 1999 is a painful one for any Collingwood supporter to reflect on, ANZAC Day, however, was one of the more spirited performances. 32-points down at quarter-time, the Buckley-less Pies were always going to be up against it. With the Rocca brothers not getting a scoring shot between them, Paul Williams put in a heroic effort, with a five-goal (straight), 16 possession performance. It was not enough to overcome the strengthening Dons, who, led by a six-goal bag from Matthew Lloyd, finally broke through for their first ANZAC victory.

Goals - Williams 5, Brown 2, Burns 2, Patterson 2, Crosisca, Fuller, Jacotine, Lane
Best - Williams, Crosisca, King, Burns, A.Rocca, Davis, Godden

ANZAC Day Medallist: Mark Mercuri (Ess) - 29 disposals, 2.2 goals

2000 - Collingwood 15.10 100 def. by Essendon 21.14 140 (88,390)
After an impressive 5-0 start to the season under new coach Mick Malthouse, as well as an exciting array of fresh talent, things were looking bright for the Pies. Coming up against the only other undefeated side in the league, Collingwood kept up admirably, before a powerful Essendon side blew them away in the final quarter, going on to drop one match on the way to achieving its record-breaking premiership. James Hird won the inaugural ANZAC Medal, with the umpires (unforgivably) overlooking Nathan Buckley's 31 possession, four-goal effort in Brownlow votes.

Goals - Buckley 4, Williams 2, Brown 2, Tarrant 2, Ukovic 2, Betheras, Lockyer, S.Rocca
Best - Buckley, O'Bree, McKee, Licuria, Fraser, Williams, Lockyer

ANZAC Day Medallist: James Hird (Ess) - 29 disposals, 2.2 goals

2001 - Essendon 15.13 103 def. Collingwood 14.11 95 (83,905)
In a typically hard-fought contest, the Pies ran out of legs against the reigning premiers, after trailing by a single point at the final change. It wasn't all bad news for the Pies, however, with some impressive displays in the young midfield from Ryan Lonie and Tarkyn Lockyer. The real bright spot of the day was ANZAC Day Medallist Chris Tarrant's five-goal haul.

Goals - Tarrant 5, Lockyer 3, Betheras 2, Lonie 2, Buckley, Holland
Best - Tarrant, O'Bree, Buckley, Licuria, N.Davis

ANZAC Day Medallist: Chris Tarrant (Coll) - 13 disposals, 9 marks, 5.1 goals



Five goals from Chris Tarrant saw him take home the 2001 ANZAC Day Medal in defeat.

2002 - Collingwood 9.12 66 def. Essendon 4.9 33 (84,894)
Oh sweetness. There is not a true Collingwood supporter alive that could forget the moment: Rain pouring down, a triumphant Nathan Buckley, back-arched, raised both hands, signalling a telling final quarter goal (that was ultimately a behind) and, indeed, the moment that the ‘dark days' of Collingwood were over. The day was a release for the football club; a purging of those memories. James Hird was soundly beat by an inspirational James Clement, whilst a 17-year old Mark McGough made a name for himself. Simply brilliant.

Goals - N.Davis 2, Burns, L.Davis, Lonie, Lockyer, Fraser, McKee, Steinfort
Best - McGough, Burns, Steinfort, Clement, Licuria, Freeborn, Buckley, Lockyer

ANZAC Day Medallist: Mark McGough (Coll) - 24 disposals, 6 marks



A moment to savour for 17-year-old Mark McGough.

2003 - Essendon 23.9 147 def. Collingwood 12.9 81 (62,589)
In what was the most stark of contrasts to the previous year's efforts, ANZAC 2003 was lamentable. Essendon dominated from the first bounce, absolutely burying the Magpies in the final term. It was Hird who made the thrashing hurt most, having a blinder in the midfield, and finding time to kick a bag too. Buckley stood a lone beacon of light, fiercely collecting 37 disposals. Malthouse branded the effort the ‘worst' in his time at the club.

Goals - Didak 2, Licuria 2, Molloy, Buckley, Cloke, Fraser, Lonie, O'Bree, A.Rocca
Best - Buckley, Licuria, Burns, O'Bree, McGough, Johnson

ANZAC Day Medallist: James Hird (Ess) - 27 disposals, 5.0 goals

2004 - Collingwood 11.13 79 def. by Essendon 17.10 112 (57,294)
A struggling Collingwood outfit showed promising signs against the Bombers.  But after trailing by 25-points at the first change, never really challenged. Mark McGough was certainly Collingwood's best, notching up 29 touches, and almost snatching the medal away from another impressive Hird display.

Goals - Didak 3, McGough 2, Rocca 2, Burns, Fraser, Woewodin, Lokan
Best - McGough, Woewodin, Didak, Burns, Johnson, Licuria, Clement

ANZAC Day Medallist: James Hird (Ess) - 23 disposals, 9 marks, 3.0 goals

2005 - Essendon 11.17 83 def. Collingwood 10.9 69 (70,033)
A fiery and desperate encounter. A brawl before the opening bounce, James Hird reported in the first minute - this game had it all. In a match that Collingwood was expected to win, Essendon proved that on ANZAC Day, anything can happen. Andrew Lovett inspired the Bombers to a victory that was an ultimately disappointing day for the Pies. Rhyce Shaw held his head high with 32 touches and a goal.

Goals - Tarrant 2, Rowe 2, Caracella, Clement, C.Cloke, T.Cloke, R.Shaw, Woewodin
Best - R.Shaw, Licuria, Clement, C.Morrison, Lockyer

ANZAC Day Medallist: Andrew Lovett (Ess) - 20 disposals, 7 marks, 2.1 goals

2006 - Collingwood 15.16 106 def. Essendon 12.17 89 (91,234)
Collingwood broke through for its first ANZAC Day win since 2002, with a hard-fought 17-point triumph. Ben Johnson was brilliant, finally seen to combine his talent for winning the ball with effective and damaging disposal. Alan Didak was terrific with four goals, whilst Heath Shaw's 25-disposal effort was a little stiff to miss out on the prize, which Johnson collected amidst confusion as the now-infamous ‘Craig Johnson' was declared the recipient.

Goals - Didak 4, Buckley 3, Thomas 2, Clement, T.Cloke, Holland, Licuria, Lonie, A.Rocca
Best - Johnson, Didak, H.Shaw, Licuria, Swan, Lockyer

ANZAC Day Medallist: Ben Johnson (Coll) - 30 disposals, 10 marks

2007 - Essendon 11.13 79 def. by Collingwood 12.23 95 (90,508)
Stringing together their first two ANZAC victories in a row since '97-'98, the Pies dominated after conceding three quick goals. Aside from some terrible yips in front of goal, Collingwood's performance was absolutely terrific, with Didak and Rocca sharing goals, newcomer Heritier Lumumba and James Clement toweling-up Scott Lucas and Matthew Lloyd, respectively, and Heath Shaw putting in an undeniably best-on-ground performance to take home the medal. The match squared the ANZAC Day ledger to six-victories apiece.

Goals - Didak 3, A.Rocca 3, Lockyer 2, T.Cloke, Johnson, Pendlebury, Dick
Best - H.Shaw, T.Cloke, Burns, T.Cloke, Pendlebury, R.Shaw

ANZAC Day Medallist: Heath Shaw (Coll) - 32 disposals, 13 marks

2008 - Collingwood 23.16 154 def. Essendon 12.9 81 (88,999)
A resounding victory. The Pies flexed their muscles for the first time in the 2008 season, showing off a fiercely potent forward line, led by the fast-improving Travis Cloke, who took 14 marks for a 5 goal haul. Scott Pendlebury raised his hand for medal contention with an outstanding 33 disposals, but the day belonged to Paul Medhurst whose six goal game aptly marked his Collingwood rebirth. 

Goals - Medhurst 6, T.Cloke 5, Davis 3, Lockyer 3, Didak, Johnson, Goldsack, Swan, Thomas
Best - Medhurst, Pendlebury, T.Cloke, O'Bree, Didak, H.Shaw, Johnson, Swan

ANZAC Day Medallist: Paul Medhurst (Coll) - 17 disposals, 6 goals



Cheers all round for Paul Medhurst, named best afield in 2008.

2009 - Essendon 13.15 93 def. Collingwood 12.16 88 (84,829)
2009 was as remarkable an ANZAC Day contest as we’ve seen. After a close contested swayed either way for three quarters, Collingwood looked to have Essendon on ice. The Bombers, who lost sole ruckman David Hille early in the match, were trailing by 14 points with less than five minutes remaining. In a heart wrenching turn for Collingwood fans, the Bombers remarkably slammed on three goals in four minutes, and made fourth gamer David Zaharakis a household name.

Goals - Anthony 4, Davis 2, L.Brown, T.Cloke, Medhurst, Macaffer, Pendlebury, A.Rocca
Best - Swan, Davis, O'Bree, Pendlebury, O'Brien

ANZAC Day Medallist: Patrick Ryder (Ess) - 27 hitouts, 16 possessions, 1 goal

2010 - Collingwood 18.12 120 def. Essendon 8.7 55 (90,070)
It was the day Collingwood flexed its muscle for the first time in 2010. In a precurser of things to come, the Magpies banged on seven goals to none in the opening quarter to build a 44 point buffer at the first break. They were never challenged from thereon. Scott Pendlebury's 29 disposals saw him win the first of his two ANZAC Day Medals. Previous winner Ben Johnson gave ample drive in the midfield and Josh Fraser turned back the clock to put in a virtuoso performance with three goals, 19 disposals and 10 hitouts.

Goals - T.Cloke 4, Fraser 3, Dawes 2, Wellingham 2, Medhurst, Johnson, Didak, Beams, D.Thomas, Toovey
Best - Pendlebury, Johnson, Fraser, Didak, Wellingham, H.Shaw, Swan, D.Thomas

ANZAC Day Medallist: Scott Pendlebury (Coll) - 29 disposals, 5 tackles, 1 goal

2011 - Essendon 11.11 77 def. by Collingwood 16.11 107 (89,626)
A closely fought match that belied the fact that Collingwood led at every change. The Bombers appeared poised to knock the Magpies off for only the second time since round 10, 2010, when David Hille put them within two points early in the last quarter. Three goals late in the final term to Travis Cloke steadied the ship and guided Collingwood to its second consecutive ANZAC Day win over the Dons.

Goals - T.Cloke 3, Pendlebury 3, Beams 2, Dawes 2, Swan, Jolly, L.Brown, Ball, Didak, Sidebottom
Best - Pendlebury, Davis, H.Shaw, D.Thomas, T.Cloke, Jolly, Swan, Wellingham, Ball

ANZAC Day Medallist: Scott Pendlebury (Coll) - 34 disposals, 8 tackles, 3 goals

2012 - Collingwood 11.14 (80) def. Essendon 11.13 (79) (86,932)
One of the games of the year. Collingwood led for most of the day until Brent Stanton emerged as an unlikely match winner late in the game with a snap around the body with only minutes remaining. Without much time to lose, Collingwood raced the ball down the other end for Jarryd Blair to throw a leg at the ball and soccer through a goal that put the Pies in front by a point with only a minute to play. Although the Bombers threatened to pinch victory in the dying seconds, Collingwood held on grimly to a one-point win. Dane Swan played one of the games of his life, winning 42 possessions and kicking three goals en route to his first ANZAC Day Medal.

Goals - Cloke 3, Swan 3, Blair 2, Jolly, Beams, Sidebottom
Best - Swan, Pendlebury, Johnson, Beams, Blair, Cloke, Sidebottom, Jolly, Sinclair

ANZAC Day Medallist: Dane Swan (Coll) - 42 possessions, three goals, six tackles, 13 clearances

2013 - Essendon 18.13 (121) def. Collingwood 10.15 (75) (93,373)
Not an occasion we like to revisit too often, for obvious reasons. Inaccuracy marred Collingwood's early efforts, but realistically, this was always going to be Essendon's day. Their stars - Zaharakis, Watson and Stanton - were firing on all cylinders, and Jason Winderlich provided tremendous value with three goals. A six-goal final quarter turned the final 30 minutes into a red and black celebration.

Goals - Blair 2, Cloke 2, Goldsack 2, Pendlebury 2, Elliott, Sidebottom
Best - Sidebottom, Swan, Pendlebury, Macaffer

ANZAC Day Medallist: David Zaharakis (Ess) - 34 disposals, 6 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 4 goals

2014 - Collingwood 12.11 (83) def. Essendon 8.12 (60) (91,731)
A near capacity crowd on a beautiful autumn afternoon witnessed an extraordinary first half of football. Essendon jumped from the blocks, kicking the first six goals of the day, leading by 31-points at the first change. But they would only kick a further two for the game. The second quarter was something to behold, as the Tyson Goldsack-inspired Magpies kicked five goals on the trot. From there, the game became the Dane Swan show. The ANZAC Day Medallist of 2012 added the 2014 edition to his trophy cabinet when he collected 26 disposals and kicked two of the greatest goals of his career in the third quarter.

Goals - Swan 4, Sidebottom 3, White 2, Elliott, Goldsack, Grundy
Best – Swan, Sidebottom, Goldsack, Beams, Ball, Langdon

ANZAC Day Medallist: Dane Swan (Coll) – 26 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 goals

2015 - Essendon 6.13 (49) def. by Collingwood 9.15 (69) (88,395)
A match that will forever be remembered as Paul Seedsman's finest hour. The life-long Collingwood supporter enjoyed the best of his 49 matches for the club, kicking one goal from 31 disposals and 14 inside 50s on his way to winning the ANZAC Day Medal. On a murky Melbourne afternoon, the Magpies led by just a point at half time but were never in any great danger, despite never truly kicking away. Substitute Sam Dwyer kicked the sealer midway through the final quarter, while Scott Pendlebury, Taylor Adams and Jack Crisp all enjoyed fine afternoons.

Goals - Cloke 2, Elliott 2, Seedsman, Pendlebury, Crisp, Swan, Dwyer
Best - Seedsman, Pendlebury, Adams, Crisp, Swan, Frost

ANZAC Day Medallist: Paul Seedsman (Coll) – 31 disposals, 14 inside 50s, 1 goal

2016 - Collingwood 22.10 (142) def. Essendon 11.8 (73) (85,082)
Eight goals Collingwood in the opening 26 minutes was enough to snuff out this match as a contest. But the scoreline doesn't do the stories beneath it justice. American debutant Mason Cox made headlines around the world when he kicked the first goal of the match with his first kick in league football. Steele Sidebottom confirmed his reputation as a big game specialist with 33 disposals and four goals, while another debutant, Josh Smith, made a fine impression with 23 disposals and a goal. Alex Fasolo did what he does best, kicking four goals from 22 disposals, while Jarryd Blair chipped in with three of his own. It wasn't an easy day for the Bombers, who were depleted following the suspensions that hit 12 of their players ahead of the season.

Goals - Fasolo 4, Sidebottom 4, Blair 3, Greenwood 2, Howe 2, Moore 2, Cox, Adams, De Goey, Oxley, Smith
Best – Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Adams, Fasolo, Treloar, Smith, Blair

ANZAC Day Medallist: Steele Sidebottom (Coll) – 33 disposals, 4 goals, 4 tackles



An ANZAC Day debut and a goal with his first kick: Mason Cox will never forget 25 April 2016.