Collingwood beats Essendon in holding Anzac Day AFL blockbuster at MCG

The MCG is really alive again after 84,205 fans showed up for the traditional Anzac Day AFL blockbuster between Essendon and Collingwood. Teen sensation Jack Ginnivan has slotted a career-best five goals to assist with lifting Collingwood to an 11-point win over Essendon in an enchanting Anzac Day experience at the MCG.

The crowd figure was the greatest at an AFL match since the 2019 grand final when 100,014 individuals watched Richmond belt GWS. Before 84,205 spectators — the biggest crowd at an AFL match since the 2019 grand final in light of the Covid pandemic — small forward Ginnivan featured in his side’s 15.3 (93) to 12.10 (82) triumph.

After COVID-19 put a line through the 2020 Anzac Day game, 78,113 fans were in the MCG stands last year when government limitations implied participation was restricted to 85 percent of capacity.

All the more lengthy lockdowns followed last year’s match, prompting the finals series to again be moved beyond Victoria, yet pressing forward is the only real option this time.

Fans have been gradually warming to the idea of attending games as the world adapts to life post-COVID.

However, Melbourne is at last back embracing big sporting events, following on from a record crowd at the current month’s Australian Formula One Grand Prix.

Yet again the traditional Anzac Day conflict is the biggest AFL home-and-away game of the season and it satisfied that billing.

There is seemingly nothing more spine-tingling in Australian sport than a packed MCG noticing a minute’s silence on Anzac Day.

The 19-year-old had only 12 removals yet was awarded the Anzac Day Medal as best abroad for his match-winning haul in the traditional blockbuster.

The result squared the Magpies’ season win-loss record at 3-3 and left Essendon reeling at 1-5, with its finals trusts pretty much shot.

There were a few anxious minutes for the Magpies as the lead changed hands six times in the second half before they kicked three objectives in four minutes toward the beginning of the final quarter.

They partook in some breathing space yet the result was not settled until deep into time-on when a 50-meter penalty against Nick Hind for continuing on the mark put Brodie Grundy within range to kick the sealer.

Aside from a rebel crying baby, each adult in the stadium stayed quiet.

The Last Post is currently played before all games during the Anzac round, however, what stood out at the Collingwood-Essendon conflict was the thunder after the national anthem.

Despite Essendon getting through a troublesome beginning to the season, their fans were more than up for the event.

Being a Bombers home game, the crowd was a sea of red and black as allies waved their scarves and jackets in front of the first bounce.

The Essendon army went up as one halfway through the third quarter when a long Matt Guelfi goal put the Bombers in front.

In any case, Collingwood fans had similarly as many motivations to cheer, with new religion legend Jack Ginnivan moving forward on the enormous stage to kick five goals and irritating the Bombers’ allies in the process.

Jordan De Goey (27 removals) featured in the midfield and Jeremy Howe stood firm in defence, while Brody Mihocek booted four goals.

Scott Pendlebury’s (25 removals) experience was significant in his 15th appearance on Anzac Day and Nick Daicos (22) savored the huge stage.

Essendon ball magnet Darcy Parish racked up a career-high 44 disposals and 12 clearances, while ruckman Sam Draper worked enthusiastically and Alec Waterman (four goals) and Jake Stringer (three goals) had an effect in the attack.

The Bombers got returns on their bet of bringing Stringer and on-baller Zach Merrett (36 removals) back from wounds sooner than first anticipated.

The two sides participated in the round-six contest frantic for success to help their finals trusts.

The Magpies lost Nathan Kreuger to a repeat of his left shoulder injury during the second term yet were animated by Jack Crisp’s running goal and a bomb from Isaac Quaynor, which gave them a match-high 17-point lead before half-time.

Ward had 30 removals and six clearances in the first half alone, assisting Essendon to a 22-13 clearance with advantaging, however, the Bombers needed speed and penetration in possession.

Also, for all Parish’s touches, De Goey had been considerably more influential to that point with his 16 disposals and three clearances for Collingwood.

Jayden Laverde was substituted out with a leg injury however the Bombers rose out of the main break with more prominent energy.

They hit the front for the first time at the 18-minute characteristic of the third term when Matt Guelfi stuck De Goey holding the ball and nailed the long set shot.

It was the first of four lead changes for the quarter as Ginnivan’s fourth major gave the Magpies a one-point lead at the last change.

The goal-for-goal arm wrestles proceeded early in the last quarter until speedy goals to Mihocek, Ginnivan, and Reef McInnes gave Collingwood a buffer.

Essendon recuperated from critical positions at 1-4 and 2-6 last year to reach the finals however should engineer a special turnaround to repeat the accomplishment this season.