The emotion overriding Collingwood and Essendon’s traditional Anzac Day clash provides a spectacle unsurpassed by any other home and away event.

For a day where football is secondary to paying respect to the past, there have been a remarkable number incredible contests played out at the MCG.

Collingwood Media has produced a special edition of ‘Top Five’ to remember five of the most memorable moments of Anzac Day football.

View a summary of the five moments below, or watch the video in the player above to relive the moments for yourself.

5. Medhurst’s big moment

In just his second Anzac Day clash, Paul Medhurst played one of the games of his life.

The crafty forward had kicked 11 goals in the first five games of the 2008 season. He was in hot form too, having booted 5.2 against North Melbourne the previous week.

Anzac Day was the biggest stage of all and Medhurst made the most of it.

He kicked six goals from 17 possessions in a performance that not only won over the entire Magpie Army, but also earned the former Fremantle Docker an Anzac Day Medal.



4. Young Magpies beat hot Bombers

In 2007, a young Collingwood side were faced with an Essendon team looking ominous after three wins in four early season games.

The Magpies took in six players with under 20 games experience. One of these was future star Scott Pendlebury and another was unlikely hero and third-gamer Brad Dick.

Despite having five more scoring shots than the Bombers, scores were level at 42-apiece as sides entered the half time break.

Anthony Rocca proved the spearhead in the second half as the Magpies edges ahead and finished with a memorable 16-point victory.



3. Swan’s day in the sun

Dane Swan didn’t have nearly as many standout games in 2014 as we’d come to expect in other seasons of his illustrious career.

Despite a self-proclaimed “putrid” year, Swan was anything but during the Magpies’ biggest game of 2014.

The champ had 26 disposals and kicked four goals as Collingwood overcame a 37-point Essendon lead to win by 23 points.



2. A golden boot from Blair

In a history spanning 124 years, Collingwood has only featured in 28 one-point victories.

Perhaps one of the most memorable in recent times occurred on Anzac Day in 2012.

86,932 fans packed the MCG on a wet day in which Swan once again brought his own football.

The reigning Brownlow Medallist had 42 disposals, 13 clearances and kicked three goals, however it was one of his premiership teammates that stole the show.

With Essendon leading by five points, Jarryd Blair took advantage of a loose ball on the goal line.

He soccered the ball through and sent the MCG into mayhem before a video referral confirmed the goal and a one-point Collingwood victory.



1. The tradition begins

The concept originated by Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy kicked off in remarkable fashion in 1995.

Crowds flocked to the MCG to witness the 3-0 Bombers take on the 0-3 Magpies. No one left disappointed.

The stage was set for an epic as both teams raced away to kick six goals apiece in the first quarter. Essendon took a 16-point into the half time break before Collingwood kicked seven goals to two to reverse the margin at three-quarter time.

30 minutes later and the scores were tied at 111 when the final siren sounded. The first ever Anzac Day match, with the second biggest home and away crowd in AFL history was a draw.

Saverio Rocca was Collingwood’s best player with a remarkable nine goals, while Nathan Buckley led the Magpies with 30 disposals.