ANZAC Day Footy – lest we forget
ANZAC Day holds a special place in the Australian psyche – an ongoing testament to the spirit, undying courage and camaraderie of the Australians and Kiwis who formed part of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Dawn Services around the country send chills down the spine beyond those inflicted by the climate at that time of the morning. Later in the day, Diggers march proudly at parades as the rest of us doff our collective caps – it is the least we could do to pay our thanks. ‘Spinners’ are in ample supply as games of two-up take centre stage for a day, while since 1995, the MCG has played host to a ‘blockbuster’ clash between Collingwood and Essendon on this momentous day. As the 17th such clash rapidly approaches, let’s take a look back at the high and low points of one of the most significant legacies of Kevin Sheedy’s time at the Bombers.
1995 – Crowd of 94,825
Collingwood 6.1 7.3 14.7 17.9 (111)
Essendon 6.4 9.7 11.11 16.15 (111)
The original ANZAC Day clash still holds the objectively measured record for the greatest attendance and almost certainly the subjectively-measured record for the best of the 16 such matches played to date. A first quarter shootout gave way to a torrid and tense second quarter in which the Bombers snuck out to a 16-point lead. The third quarter was all Collingwood though, as they kicked seven goals to two and took a 14-point lead to the final change. Essendon fought back in the final term and led by a straight kick late in the match before Saverio Rocca kicked his ninth goal for the day to level the scores. In the dying seconds of the match, Nathan Buckley (who amassed 30 disposals and a goal in just his second season for the Magpies) opted against a long-range shot for goal on the run and instead kicked towards Rocca, but the pass was spoiled and the siren sounded before either team could mount one last attacking burst.
1996 – Crowd of 87,549
Collingwood 2.4 6.10 11.13 17.15 (117)
Essendon 7.1 10.5 14.8 16.9 (105)
The highly anticipated replay saw the Essendon get off to a great start with an impressive seven-goal first quarter. Collingwood slowly eroded this lead over the next two quarters though, cutting the margin to 19 points at half time and 13 points at three-quarter time. The final quarter proved to be decisive, as the Magpies kicked six goals to two and overhauled the Bombers. Saverio Rocca was dominant up forward again, adding six goals to his nine goal haul of the previous year. Tony Francis and Scott Russell were also among Collingwood’s best, while a young James Hird kicked four goals and had 23 possessions in a performance that suggested more great things were yet to come.
1997 – Crowd of 83,271
Collingwood 3.9 6.12 8.14 14.15 (99)
Essendon 1.2 2.5 6.7 10.10 (70)
Collingwood had started the 1997 season well under new coach Tony Shaw and they continued on their merry way with a start-to-finish win over the Bombers. Only errant kicking by the Pies prevented the contest from being over at halftime and there was a period in the third quarter where Essendon threatened to make them pay for this. In the end, the Rocca brothers (Saverio now joined by Anthony at Collingwood) provided too many headaches for the Bomber back line, while Damien Monkhorst dominated the ruck throughout the day.
1998 – Crowd of 81,542
Collingwood 3.6 6.12 11.17 15.18 (108)
Essendon 4.3 9.6 9.12 12.16 (88)
A 'game of two halves' in many senses with the Bombers leading at both quarter and half time, albeit that poor kicking by the Magpies had perhaps flattered Esssendon to that point. A five goal to zero third quarter put Collingwood in control of the contest and on the back of another big haul (seven goals this time) from Saverio Rocca and a dominant display from Nathan Buckley, they went on to win more comfortably than the final score suggested.
1999 – Crowd of 73,118
Essendon 7.3 8.8 14.12 15.18 (108)
Collingwood 1.1 6.2 11.4 15.10 (100)
Essendon started extremely quickly against a Magpie side without skipper Nathan Buckley, skipping out to a 38-point lead at the first change. Collingwood responded strongly in the second quarter, kicking five goals and reducing the lead to 18 points at the main change. The Bombers extended this lead again to 26 points at three-quarter time, but the Magpies would not go quietly. Paul Williams kicked five goals in a valiant effort for the losing side but with six goals from Matthew Lloyd, Essendon clung on in the final quarter for an eight point victory.
2000 – Crowd of 88,390
Essendon 3.2 6.4 14.10 21.14 (140)
Collingwood 3.3 8.4 12.6 15.10 (100)
2000 was a year of firsts for the Anzac Day clash – the first ANZAC Day medallist, the first year of Mick Malthouse coaching Collingwood and the first time that both sides reached the match undefeated for the season. The Magpies put up a brave fight against a side that would lose only once during the season, leading at both quarter and half time and trailing by only 16 points at the final change. Ultimately, the class of Essendon proved too much in the final quarter, with James Hird winning the inaugural ANZAC Day Medal with 29 possessions and two goals. Nathan Buckley was gallant in defeat, racking up 31 possessions and kicking four goals.
2001 – Crowd of 83,905
Essendon 5.4 9.6 13.8 15.13 (103)
Collingwood 3.5 10.5 13.7 14.11 (95)
The defending premiers certainly had their work cut out on ANZAC Day 2001. A seven-goal-to-four second quarter saw the Magpies take a narrow lead into the main change and an arm wrestle ensued in the second half. The Bombers kicked four goals to three in the third quarter to edge in front at the final change and both sides got the jitters in front of goal in the final term – two goals to one was sufficient to see Essendon home narrowly. Chris Tarrant kicked five goals in a losing effort and was the second ANZAC Day Medallist – to this day, he is the only medal winner to come from the losing side on the day.
2002 – Crowd of 84,894
Collingwood 1.2 3.5 7.8 9.12 (66)
Essendon 1.1 2.4 2.7 4.9 (33)
The first ANZAC Day match played in retched weather saw Collingwood prove to be by far the tougher and more determined side on the day. While the margin in their favour was a solitary point at quarter time and seven points at the half, the third quarter was telling – four goals to none saw the Magpies stretch the lead to 31 points, unassailable given the conditions on the day. 17-year old Mark McGough won the ANZAC Day Medal with a terrific 24-possession display of wet weather football, while Essendon star James Hird had his colours lowered all day by James Clement.
2003 – Crowd of 62,589
Essendon 4.2 10.4 15.7 23.9 (147)
Collingwood 2.3 6.3 11.6 12.9 (81)
James Hird played one of the games of his career, erasing the memories of last year's sound thrashing by Clement and racking up 27 possessions, five goals and a second ANZAC Day Medal. The Bombers cruised for most of the game, leading by 25 points at half time and responding to a third quarter Collingwood challenge with a vintage final term, kicking eight goals to one and recording the biggest margin of victory in an ANZAC Day clash to that point.
2004 – Crowd of 57,294
Essendon 5.3 8.6 13.7 17.10 (112)
Collingwood 1.2 6.5 10.9 11.13 (79)
In many senses, the 2004 match mirrored the previous year. There was another poor crowd by ANZAC Day standards. It ended with another medal for James Hird (23 possessions and three goals this time). The match itself unfolded much like 2004, with the Bombers again breaking out to a seemingly comfortable lead, absorbing a Magpie challenge which left the game somewhat in the balance at three-quarter time and dominating the final quarter to win by a margin that did not reflect the competitiveness of the match. Mark McGough submitted another excellent display on the biggest stage of the home and away season, amassing 29 disposals in a well-beaten side.
2005 – Crowd of 70,033
Essendon 2.8 5.9 7.14 11.17 (83)
Collingwood 2.1 4.4 5.7 10.9 (69)
The 2005 edition was a an extremely fiery encounter from the outset – there was a brawl before the opening bounce and James Hird had his number taken by the umpires inside the first 60 seconds of play. While the Magpies were favoured to win before the match, the Bombers made the running for the first three quarters, with only inaccurate kicking on their part leaving the door open for Collingwood. After a very low-scoring first three quarters, the final term developed into more of a shoot-out, with the pace of Andrew Lovett proving to be decisive in the end – he finished with 20 possessions, two goals and the ANZAC Day Medal.
2006 – Crowd of 91,234
Collingwood 2.4 6.8 11.14 15.16 (106)
Essendon 4.4 7.8 10.13 12.17 (89)
Looking to seal a fourth straight (and seventh in eight years) ANZAC Day victory Essendon took the early advantage, leading by two goals at quarter time. Collingwood won the second and third quarters though, and started the final term with a seven-point advantage. The Bombers were unable to capitalise on their chances and the Magpies made them pay. Ben Johnson was brilliant with 30 disposals and 10 marks while Alan Didak kicked four goals for the victors. Johnson collected the Medal on the day amidst some confusion as the now-infamous ‘Craig Johnson' was declared the recipient – perhaps there were some fans of the late-1980s Liverpool teams amongst the voting panel?
2007 – Crowd of 90,508
Collingwood 1.5 5.12 9.16 12.23 (89)
Essendon 3.4 6.6 8.10 11.13 (79)
The match started with three quick goals to Essendon but the Magpies settled and despite some poor kicking (a hallmark of many an ANZAC Day clash it would seem), had brought the match to level terms by the half. Heath Shaw played one of the games of his career to date, amassing 32 disposals and 13 marks en route to an ANZAC Day Medal. While the Collingwood forwards were unable to put the game away until the very end, James Clement and a young Harry O'Brien did terrific jobs of containing Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas respectively.
2008 – Crowd of 88,999
Collingwood 5.3 11.7 15.12 23.16 (154)
Essendon 5.2 6.6 7.7 12.9 (81)
The third consecutive ANZAC Day victory for the Magpies was emphatic, setting a new record for the greatest margin of victory in these encounters after leading by just a point at quarter time. As an Essendon fan there was very little for me to take solace in – Paul Medhurst's six goal haul was enough to edge out Scott Pendlebury (33 possessions) and Travis Cloke (five goals) for Medallist honours on the day.
2009 – Crowd of 84,829
Essendon 1.5 6.6 9.13 13.15 (93)
Collingwood 4.2 6.6 8.10 12.16 (88)
Trailing by 15 points at quarter time and staring down the barrel of a fourth straight ANZAC Day loss, Essendon responded vigorously and what unfolded was of the most memorable and epic clashes between the two sides. The Bombers levelled the scores by half time and led at the final change, but with David Hille having been lost to injury earlier in the match, the Magpies were still in the driver's seat. Enter Paddy Ryder – the part-time ruckman took the job on alone, playing himself to a standstill as he won the ANZAC Day Medal with 16 possessions, 27 hitouts and a goal. The final word went to teammate David Zaharakis though, who in his just his fourth senior match kicked the winning goal deep into a time-on as Essendon slammed on three goals in four minutes to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.
2010 – Crowd of 90,070
Collingwood 7.5 11.8 17.9 18.12 (120)
Essendon 0.3 4.4 6.5 8.7 (55)
This one was all over as a contest before quarter time, as the Magpies raced out to a 44-point lead at the first change with a scintillating football display. The rest of the match proved to be something of a formality, the Magpies flexing a little more muscle in the third term with a six-goal effort before cruising through the final term. Scott Pendlebury collected his first ANZAC Day Medal with a 29-possession performance, while Dayne Beams and Travis Cloke were also amongst the best for the Magpies.
With 16 ANZAC Day clashes in the record books, the overall ledger stands at 8-7 in favour of Collingwood, with a draw in the match that started the tradition. While the Magpies have started the 2011 season in the manner they ended 2010 and are still the competition benchmark, the Bombers have proven themselves one of the most improved sides of the year. The scene is set for a terrific game befitting the events commemorated every April 25. Lest we forget.
Thanks to Quinn Rooney/Getty Images AsiaPac for use of the photo
