Essendon are in serious trouble. The Bombers turned up to the biggest fixture on the home and away calendar and got belted by 77 points in front of 95,000 at the MCG. Worst ANZAC Day defeat in 32 years. Easily.
A Record That Will Take Some Beating
The Pies kicked seven goals to one in the second quarter and the contest was over before half time. Once Collingwood got away, Essendon's lack of a genuine key forward was exposed for the entire MCG to see. The 77-point margin smashed the previous ANZAC Day record of 62 points, set by the Bombers themselves in 2009, and made it three on the bounce in the fixture for the Pies.
Nick Daicos was everywhere. 38 disposals, 12 contested possessions, three goal assists. Patrick Lipinski booted four from half-forward. Ruckman Darcy Cameron took 11 marks against an undermanned Essendon ruck division and effectively decided the contested ball battle on his own. Ladbrokes punters who took Collingwood at -18.5 cashed out comfortably before the main break.
Pendlebury Stamps His Place in History
Scott Pendlebury, 37, became just the third player to win four ANZAC Day Medals, joining James Hird and Scott Burns. 32 disposals and three goals on the day. The Pies skipper has now played in 13 ANZAC Day clashes for nine wins and remains the standard bearer for big-game performance in the modern era.
Essendon coach Brad Scott called the result embarrassing and admitted the gap to the top eight is significant. The Bombers are 1-6 with Hawthorn and Geelong on the schedule next. Their wooden spoon price shortened from $11 to $7 overnight. Full match coverage is available at AFL.com.au.
Where the Markets Land
Collingwood firmed from $5.50 to $4.80 for the flag in the hour after the siren. Sydney remain the $3.20 favourite, with Hawthorn level with the Pies at $5.50. The Daicos 30+ Disposal market has now paid in seven of his last eight, the most reliable same-game multi anchor going around. The Bombers, meanwhile, drift towards the basement. dabble's wooden spoon market now reads Richmond $3, Essendon $7, Western Bulldogs $9. Plenty more punishment ahead before this season is done.
Round 8 looms next. Both clubs face vastly different propositions: the Pies host an in-form Hawthorn at the MCG on Thursday night, while the Bombers cop Brisbane at Marvel Stadium. Full AFL Round 8 tips and predictions for every match are now live.