The Bombers started with Travis Colyer, Dyson Heppell and Jobe Watson in the centre bounce with Matthew Leuenberger in the ruck. Watson picked up the first kick of the match.

New recruits Josh Green and James Stewart started in attack alongside Orazio Fantasia, Zach Merrett, Mitch Brown and Kyle Langford. The pace in the Essendon forward half created the first goal of the game as the Dons capitalised on a clearing kick from the defensive 50. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti started on the bench before joining the forwards. Fantasia kicked two first quarter goals.

Michael Hurley, Matt Dea, Patrick Ambrose, Mark Baguley, Jackson Merrett and James Kelly are lining up in defence. Martin Gleeson and Andrew McGrath started on the bench but are rotating through the defence.

Baguley is on Jamie Eliiott and Ambrose is on Darcy Moore.

Essendon had more disposals (90-81) in the first quarter but Collingwood ended the term in front by four points.

Two goals to Travis Colyer early in the second term had the Bombers in front.

Ben Howlett and David Myers spent the entire first quarter on the bench but were on the field for the opening of the second term. Howlett’s mark and goal midway through the term extended the Dons lead to 14 points. The lead was built on an edge in the contested ball (14-3) throughout the first ten minutes of the quarter.

A goal to Shaun McKernan extended the lead to 19 points.

Zach Merrett (15), Jobe Watson (13) and Darcy Parish (13) are the leading ball winners for the Bombers who lead by 7 points at half time after two late goals to the Pies.