Collingwood's 2015 campaign has ended in the form of a three-point loss to Essendon in the dying seconds at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

As the sun set on the 2015 home and away season, a healthy crowd of 40,270 watched as Heath Hocking sealed the Bombers' first win since round 15 - 14.11 (95) to 14.8 (92).

Hocking kicked a goal with less than a minute-and-a-half on the clock to give the Dons the match-winning lead, before the ball was pushed to the Pies' attacking end as the siren approached.

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But a free kick was awarded to Cale Hooker in a marking contest as the Pies went inside 50 with 23 seconds left, which saw the ball end up on the city side wing as the siren rang.

It was welcome relief for the Bombers, who hadn't tasted victory under interim coach Matt Egan and have endured a rough season dogged by the on-going ASADA and WADA situation, and the resignation of coach James Hird. 

Their sixth win for the season was led by Brent Stanton, who collected 30 disposals and kicked three goals, all of which came in the second quarter.

Dyson Heppell was also important for the Bombers with 28 and eight clearances, while promoted rookie Shaun McKernan was excellent in the ruck and around the ground.

Hocking was influential with three goals, none more important than his second and third – the last two of the game - that stole the win after the Pies led for much of the second half.

After the first quarter went goal for goal, the Bombers' first move came early in the second when they kicked three unanswered majors.

Stanton put together a terrific term, equalling his career-best goal haul with three; the third of which was set up by Joe Daniher after a remarkable comeback from a first-term head knock in the opening minute.

Daniher was on the ground for a few minutes after crashing into both Ben Reid and Taylor Adams, but returned to the field for the second term after serving 20 minutes as the concussion substitute.

While Stanton threatened to blow the lacklustre Pies away, Ben Kennedy did well up the other end to boot two goals for the term and keep his team in it.


Still, a lack of pressure and the alarming statistic of just 17 tackles to half-time showed the Pies were a long way off the team that surprised Geelong last round.

Four Magpie goals in a row in the third quarter turned a 14-point deficit after Hocking nailed the term's opener into a nine-point lead.

Adams was influential in the quarter with a hand in the first two goals as the Pies looked to have regained control over the contest.

He was their best player with 33 disposals and seven clearances, while Steele Sidebottom was also prolific through the midfield.

But they had no answers as the Bombers ground out the win to give themselves something to celebrate as they look towards the pre-season.

COLLINGWOOD   4.2  8.3  12.5   14.8    (92)
ESSENDON          3.2   9.5  11.7  14.11  (95)

GOALS
Collingwood: Kennedy 2, White 2, Blair 2, Fasolo 2, Adams, Moore, Elliott, Crisp, Greenwood, Reid, 
Essendon: Stanton 3, Hocking 3, Hooker 2, J Merrett, McKernan, Goddard, Melksham, Zaharakis, McKenna

BEST
Collingwood: Adams, Sidebottom, White, Fasolo, Marsh, Reid
Essendon: Stanton, Heppell, McKernan, Hocking, Zaharakis, Fantasia

INJURIES
Collingwood: Brown (cut head)
Essendon: Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Alan Toovey replaced Brodie Grundy in the third quarter
Essendon: Shaun Edwards replaced Elliott Kavanagh in the third quarter

Reports: Nil

Umpires: O'Gorman, Deboy, Ryan, Armstrong

Official crowd: 42,270 at the MCG