In the build up to this year’s ANZAC Day clash, the Essendon website is giving fans the opportunity to vote in a special online poll for the awarding of retrospective ANZAC Day medals from 1995-1999.

Watch highlights from the 1999 battle here on BomberTV ?

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 1999 ANZAC Medal has been announced today, with former forward Mark Mercuri the worthy recipient.
 

A seven goal first quarter by the Bombers set up an eight point victory over archrivals Collingwood in the 1999 Anzac Day clash at the MCG.

73,118 fans were on hand to witness an enthralling Anzac Day contest which had everything with a dominant display from the Bombers and a spirited fightback from the Pies.

The Bombers were in cruise control early with stand in skipper Mark Mercuri controlling the midfield and the two power forwards of Scott Lucas and Matthew Lloyd dominating inside attacking 50.

Lucas kicked two first quarter goals while young ruckman Simon Eastaugh gave first use to midfielders Mark Fraser, Justin Blumfield and Chris Heffernan as the Bombers blew the lead out to 38 points at quarter time and were well on their way to recording an easy victory.

Injury to Collingwood forward and Anzac Day hero Saverio Rocca early in the second quarter was a blessing in disguise for the Pies as a new look forward line consisting of Tyson Lane and Gavin Brown reduced the margin to 18 points at half time.

Impressive goals to Lloyd and Mercuri early in the third quarter looked to put the game beyond reach but the Pies refused to die with spirited individual performances from Anthony Rocca and Paul Williams enabling the Pies to remain in touch at three-quarter time and trail Essendon by 26 points.

The Magpies charged in the last quarter with three goals in as many minutes to Paul Williams, Brad Fuller and Scott Burns reducing the margin to just 11 points. Anthony Rocca marked 30m out from goal to put the Pies within two points with a couple of minutes remaining in the match.
Rocca was one of the Pies best players all day but failed to convert his set shot enabling the Bombers to hold on for an emphatic eight point victory and claim their first Anzac Day victory.
SCORES:

Essendon 15.18 (108)

Collingwood 15.10 (100)

 

GOALS:

Essendon: Lloyd 6, Lucas 3, Mercuri 2, Moorcroft 2, Bewick, Rioli

Collingwood: Williams 5, Patterson 2, Burns 2, Brown 2, Fuller, Crosisca, Lane, Jacotine

 

BEST:

Essendon: Lloyd, Mercuri, Lucas, Wellman, Fraser, Blumfield

Collingwood: A Rocca, Williams, Burns, Davis, Tape, Crosisca
 

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.

Results of fan voting for yesterday's 1998 poll:

ESSENDON - Matthew Lloyd191
COLLINGWOOD - Saverio Rocca144
ESSENDON - Sean Wellman120
ESSENDON - Che Cockatoo-Collins63
ESSENDON - Dustin Fletcher59
ESSENDON - Justin Blumfield57
ESSENDON - Darren Bewick53
ESSENDON - Scott Lucas30
ESSENDON - Joe Misiti23
COLLINGWOOD - Nathan Buckley16