ESSENDON finished like a runaway train but Collingwood has hung on for a tense four-point win in an Anzac Day classic at the MCG.
The Magpies led all day, by as much as 33 points in the second quarter, but had to hold on grimly in the face of a late surge by the Bombers to score a thrilling 10.13 (73) to 10.9 (69) win in front of 92,241 fans.
Players on both sides ran themselves to the point of exhaustion in the enthralling encounter packed with big moments.
The Pies led by nine points heading into the final term, but Joe Daniher’s fourth goal made it a three-point game with five minutes left.
Callum Brown had the chance to seal the deal with a set shot right in front but pushed his shot wide.
Essendon went long with the resulting kick-in but the play was broken up in the midfield, leaving Collingwood to celebrate their fourth win of the season.
Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury won the Anzac Medal as the best player on the ground, but was roundly booed by the frustrated Bombers home crowd as he gave his acceptance speech.
Pendlebury led the way with 38 possessions, with Adam Treloar (30), Steele Sidebottom (24) and Dayne Beams (28) important.
Dylan Shiel amassed 34 disposals in his first Anzac Day clash, with Zach Merrett (30) and Dyson Heppell (28) influential.
The nail-biting finish wasn’t on the cards early, with Essendon starting slowly.
The Bombers, an attacking force to be reckoned with across a three-game winning run going into the clash, couldn’t find a way past the Pies in the first term.
Pendlebury and Sidebottom were everywhere as Nathan Buckley’s men denied Essendon space to run through the corridor.
Collingwood’s 23-point lead blew out to 33 when Mason Cox bagged his second goal of the second term.
It was hard to see a way back for Essendon but Heppell, who managed just three touches in the opening quarter, was instrumental in a crucial late surge.
Jake Stringer kicked his second and Daniher booted two majors, including a team- lifting long bomb after the siren, to slash the margin to 21 at halftime.
The Bombers leg speed appeared to be getting on top as the margin narrowed in the third, but with Devon Smith limping to the bench erly in the final term, the Bombers couldn’t get their noses in front.
© AAP 2019
Author: MXX
AFL: Collated Results/Standings Rd 6 AFL Results/Standings Rd 6
SYDNEY, April 25 AAP – Collated AFL results/standings after round 6
RICHMOND 3.1 5.4 7.9 12.13 (85)
MELBOURNE 4.1 4.2 5.5 6.6 (42)
Goals: Richmond: J Castagna 3 B Ellis 2 J Riewoldt 2 L Baker 2 D Martin K McIntosh T Lynch. Melbourne: A Neal-Bullen B Fritsch J Hunt J Lockhart M Gawn
T Smith.
Best: Richmond: N Vlastuin D Prestia B Houli K Lambert D Grimes B Ellis J Ross. Melbourne: J Melksham C Oliver A Brayshaw M Gawn J Viney.
Injuries: Richmond: D Astbury (ankle) J Riewoldt (knee). Melbourne: A Neal-Bullen (hamstring) J Viney (shoulder).
Reports: Nil.
Official Crowd: 72,774 at MCG.
COLLINGWOOD 4.5 7.6 9.9 10.13 (73)
ESSENDON 1.0 5.3 8.6 10.9 (69)
Goals: Collingwood: J de Goey 2 M Cox 2 B Mihocek J Stephenson J Thomas S Sidebottom T Adams W Hoskin-Elliott. Essendon: J Daniher 4 M Baguley 3 J Stringer 2 M Guelfi.
Official Crowd: 92,241 at MCG.
