Watch highlights from the classic 1995 draw here on BomberTV ?
Over the next five days, a match summary and video highlights of each game will be available online to help fans reach a decision on the player they judge to best exemplify the ANZAC spirit – skill, courage, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play.
In an Essendon Football Club initiative, officially Essendon, Collingwood and the AFL have come together to award retrospective ANZAC Medals.
A three-person panel was appointed to judge each game and the Herald Sun newspaper will reveal each of the five medal recipients over the next five days. Official medals will be awarded to each recipient at this year’s ANZAC Day match at the MCG on Monday.
The winner of the 1995 ANZAC Medal has been announced today, with former Collingwood forward Saverio Rocca the recipient.
Secure your blockbuster ANZAC Day tickets by purchasing a 3-game membership today. Proud, United, Excited. Click here to purchase your membership now.
Essendon is now giving fans the opportunity to have their say and compare the results of the online vote with the so called experts.
The 1995 ANZAC Day match between Essendon and Collingwood produced one of the most explosive and dramatic games in AFL history.
In front of 94, 825 fans at the MCG, the two teams fought out a heart stopping draw and the match was forever etched into footy folklore.
The nature of the contest reflected the sanctity of the day and the match was undoubtedly befitting a final.
Essendon held a narrow three point lead at quarter time thanks mainly to prolific ball winner Gary O’Donnell and the silky smooth skills of Joe Misiti. By half time the Bombers had stretched the lead out to 16 points with Mark Harvey and Sean Denham causing plenty of trouble for the Magpies.
But after the main break Damian Monkhurst took control in the ruck, Saverio Rocca fired up forward and Gavin Brown, Michael McGuane and Nathan Buckley started to dominate the midfield.
By the final change, the Magpies had regained the ascendancy and transformed a 16-point deficit into a 14-point advantage.
Collingwood then kicked the first goal of the final term and the match appeared to be heading towards an anti climax.
Essendon is now giving fans the opportunity to have their say and compare the results of the online vote with the so called experts.
The 1995 ANZAC Day match between Essendon and Collingwood produced one of the most explosive and dramatic games in AFL history.
In front of 94, 825 fans at the MCG, the two teams fought out a heart stopping draw and the match was forever etched into footy folklore.
The nature of the contest reflected the sanctity of the day and the match was undoubtedly befitting a final.
Essendon held a narrow three point lead at quarter time thanks mainly to prolific ball winner Gary O’Donnell and the silky smooth skills of Joe Misiti. By half time the Bombers had stretched the lead out to 16 points with Mark Harvey and Sean Denham causing plenty of trouble for the Magpies.
But after the main break Damian Monkhurst took control in the ruck, Saverio Rocca fired up forward and Gavin Brown, Michael McGuane and Nathan Buckley started to dominate the midfield.
By the final change, the Magpies had regained the ascendancy and transformed a 16-point deficit into a 14-point advantage.
Collingwood then kicked the first goal of the final term and the match appeared to be heading towards an anti climax.
However, not to be outdone, Che Cockatoo-Collins produced some of his magic to spark another fightback, this time from Essendon. And all of sudden, goals to Peter Sommerville, Barry Young and Ricky Olarenshaw had the Bombers back in front.
But at the 23 minute mark there was still another twist, Magpie Sav Rocca was awarded a dubious free kick in front of goal and made no mistake to kick his ninth of the afternoon.
With scores deadlocked on 111 a piece, Nathan Buckley broke free of the pack in what was surely the last play of the day. But instead of kicking long he elected to kick short to a contest and the ball was spoiled as the siren sounded.
But at the 23 minute mark there was still another twist, Magpie Sav Rocca was awarded a dubious free kick in front of goal and made no mistake to kick his ninth of the afternoon.
With scores deadlocked on 111 a piece, Nathan Buckley broke free of the pack in what was surely the last play of the day. But instead of kicking long he elected to kick short to a contest and the ball was spoiled as the siren sounded.
SCORES:
Collingwood: 17.9 (111)
Collingwood: 17.9 (111)
Essendon: 16.15 (111)
GOALS:
Collingwood: S. Rocca 9, B James 3, Brereton, Buckley, Williams, Walker, McGuane
GOALS:
Collingwood: S. Rocca 9, B James 3, Brereton, Buckley, Williams, Walker, McGuane
Essendon: Cockatoo-Collins 3, Mercuri, Symons, Sommerville, Fletcher 2, Hird, O'Donnell, Misiti, Olarenshaw, Denham
BEST:
Collingwood: Rocca, Buckly, McGuane, Monkhurst, Watson, Wright.
Collingwood: Rocca, Buckly, McGuane, Monkhurst, Watson, Wright.
Essendon: Misiti, O'Donnell, Harvey, Cockatoo-Collins, Olarenshaw, Denham.
Register your online vote below under the 3-2-1 system.
Please vote for the player who best exemplifies the ANZAC spirit – skill, courage, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play.
