The siege engulfing Collingwood has lifted after the Magpies got their spluttering season back on track with a 69-point thumping of Essendon in an Anzac Day fizzer at the MCG.
On a magnificent day for football, the Pies rose to the occasion after weeks of intense scrutiny and made a mockery of expectations that the depleted Dons might seize the opportunity to cause a boilover.
Nathan Buckley's men split the match wide open with their best first term against Essendon, an 8.4 (52) blitz, on the way to a 22.10 (143) to 11.7 (73) triumph.
Essendon narrowly avoided suffering the biggest Anzac Day loss – still the Bombers' 73-point defeat in 2008 – by winning the second half by seven points, but it offered little solace.
Steele Sidebottom took home the Anzac Day Medal after bagging four majors and running rampant against the listless Bombers, whose worst fears were realised on the biggest stage without the 12 experienced players serving doping bans.
Banished Pies spearhead Travis Cloke was a forgotten figure as a giant American ignited Collingwood, with cult figure Mason Cox marking a dream debut by slotting the game's opening goal with an ice-cold 25m set shot.
The 211cm Dallas native was swamped by his teammates, and from there the Pies swarmed all over the overawed Bombers – 14 of whom were making their first appearance in the April 25 showpiece.
Essendon was ranked second in the AFL for uncontested possessions leading into the match, but John Worsfold's charges simply couldn't get their hands on the ball in the face of white-hot Pies pressure.
Knowing their season was slipping away at 1-3, the Pies chased, tackled and harassed the inexperienced Dons into turnover after turnover, never allowing the Bombers to settle into the contest, as Buckley's men breathed life into their campaign.
Sidebottom kicked three of his majors in the opening term to end any fears of an upset, while skipper Scott Pendlebury (35 disposals) was in everything, showcasing the poise and class that Essendon sorely lacked.
The Bombers (1-4) remarkably matched the Pies for inside 50 entries (27-all) at half-time, but the quality of the supply going was worlds apart as Collingwood kicked 14 goals to two.
Dons spearhead Joe Daniher, often outnumbered, had a dirty day with one kick to the main break and one goal for the match.
At the other end, Cox crashed packs, was nimble on the deck and finished with 10 touches, 11 hit-outs and 1.1, while Adam Treloar (32 possessions) continued his great start in black and white, with strong support from Taylor Adams (36) and first-gamer Josh Smith (23).
Orazio Fantasia (25 touches, two goals) was his side's best player, while ex-Geelong star James Kelly (29 disposals) made the most of his one and only Anzac Day appearance and defender Michael Hartley battled against the odds.
The Pies' victory continued their recent dominance of Anzac Day. They've now won nine of the last 11 contests, and 13 of the 22 blockbuster matches overall.
While a much bigger challenge awaits against West Coast, Buckley's men will at least fly west with some renewed belief and a chance to push for a finals berth that looked so attainable during the distant mirage of pre-season.
However, Collingwood might have to take on the Eagles without Travis Varcoe, who didn't feature in the second half with a left hamstring problem, while Levi Greenwood could be in Match Review Panel trouble after he was reported for striking Brendon Goddard.
MEDICAL ROOM
Collingwood: The big blow was Travis Varcoe, who didn't emerge from the rooms after half-time and looks doubtful for the Eagles next week after suffering another hamstring issue. Taylor Adams (knee) and Josh Smith needed early treatment but played out the match.
Essendon: Orazio Fantasia had attention on his quad in the first term but returned to be one of his side's best. The Bombers appeared to get through unscathed.
NEXT UP
The Pies fly west for a daunting task against a West Coast side on the rebound from another disappointing effort away from Domain Stadium. Essendon needs to lift for a potential battle to avoid the wooden spoon against Carlton.
COLLINGWOOD 8.4 14.6 19.8 22.10 (142)
ESSENDON 1.1 2.2 7.4 11.7 (73)
GOALS
Collingwood: Sidebottom 4, Fasolo 4, Blair 3, Howe 2, Moore 2, Greenwood 2, Cox, Oxley, Smith, De Goey, Adams
Essendon: Grimley 2, Fantasia 2, Langford, Brown, Daniher, Stokes, Kelly, Cooney, Merrett
BEST
Collingwood: Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Treloar, Fasolo, Reid, Adams
Essendon: Kelly, Fantasia, Hartley, Zaharakis, Goddard
INJURIES
Collingwood: Varcoe (hamstring)
Essendon:
Reports: Nil
Umpires: O'Gorman, Schmitt, Jeffery
Official crowd: 85,082 at the MCG
Anzac Day Medal voting
Steele Sidebottom - 9
Scott Pendlebury - 6
Taylor Adams - 1
Jordan de Goey - 1
Adam Treloar - 1
