Since unveiling the first-ever Anzac Day clash in 1995, Collingwood and Essendon have had several thrilling encounters. Tuesday afternoon's clash will be no different.

There is a slight twist in what to expect, with Essendon riding momentum after the opening month under new coach Brad Scott, sitting 4-1, likewise Collingwood. It marks the first time the teams sit in the top four heading into an Anzac Day contest since 2000.

Last Saturday, the Bombers were super impressive against premiership favourites Melbourne, with ruckmen Sam Draper and Andrew Phillips playing pivotal roles in a 27-point win.

Even without their two key forwards, Peter Wright and Sam Weideman, Essendon found different avenues to generate goals, with nine players hitting the scoreboard. This Bombers outfit in the early going is a vastly different one that meekly limped to the finish line in a disappointing 2022 campaign.

Collingwood, they have hit the ground running despite their depleted ruck stocks. The Magpies' backline took another hit with defender Nathan Murphy missing after being concussed from an incident involving St Kilda's Anthony Caminiti, while Taylor Adams unsuccessfully challenged his one-match ban for a dangerous tackle on Seb Ross.

In arguably the most eagerly-anticipated clash in years, both sides will be going tooth and nail in front of a crowd of over 90,000.

As part of the lead-up, here are five close Anzac Day matches from the last 20 years.

3. 2014 - Dane Swan carves up the Bombers

There is something about playing Essendon that brings out the best in Dane Swan.

Two Anzac Day matches ago in 2012 the majestic midfielder had an incredible display in the Magpies' narrow one-point win. On this day, Collingwood needed another Swan masterclass, and he delivered.

Jumping all over the Magpies, Essendon raced ahead to a 37-point lead in the early stages of the second term.ย 

All seemed lost.

However, a galvanising black and white outfit began lifting their intensity around the contest behind the tireless Swan and the enterprising Steele Sidebottom - whose three second-quarter majors wiped a six-goal deficit into an even ball game at the long break.ย 

That is when Swan took centre stage.

In a titanic arm-wrestle, the 2011 Brownlow medallist broke the game apart with a ripping goal after fending off Mark Baguley. His third major was even better, bursting away from Cale Hooker along the boundary before slotting the major, the play reminiscent of Lance Franklin outrunning Hooker four years earlier.

With Essendon coming hard in the fourth, albeit missing numerous gettable opportunities, Swan sealed the outcome, pouncing on a loose ball from a ball-up, swinging the kick onto his non-preferred left foot and slamming the Bombers' door shut.

Fittingly, he won his second Anzac Day Medal with 26 disposals and four goals.