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.
1. 2009 - David Zaharakis covers himself in glory
The stage would be set for a blockbuster encounter.
Heading into the game, both teams had identical 2-2 records, with percentages substantially in Collingwood's favour. In front of a raucous crowd of 84,829, the Magpies swopped out of the gates, establishing a 15-point lead at the first change. In the second term, Essendon wrestled back the momentum, levelling the scores at 6.6.42 at the main break.
Carrying on from their five-goal second term, the Bombers extended their lead to 17 points behind the explosive Andrew Lovett. However, the mercurial Leon Davis kicked an important goal late in the quarter to keep the black and white within touching distance.
An enthralling final term was on the cards. After the Magpies, behind swingman Leigh Brown and forward John Anthony, put Collingwood ahead, a young Paddy Ryder bursting through the middle emphatically landed a major from 30 metres for the game's seventh lead change.
For the next 18 minutes, it was all Collingwood. Dominating territory and possession, the visitors got their reward, with Scott Pendlebury and Leon Davis landing a long-range bomb steering the Magpies 14 points clear. With under five minutes to play, time and the scoreboard weren't in Essendon's favour.
Everything had to go right from here.
Leroy Jetta began the side's late rally by dribbling home a goal, with his major opening up the heavens, which had been brewing for the second half. With rain steadily coming down, conditions became greasy for all 36 players out on the field. All of a sudden, it was Collingwood feeling the heat, with Davis rushing his kick, only to see it sail out of bounds, resulting in an Essendon shot at goal.
Ricky Dyson, one of the team's most reliable kicks, made no mistake with his deadly left foot, shaving the deficit to only two points. Moments later, a wide-open Jetta had the golden chance to put Essendon ahead, only to fumble the slippery ball, before a desperate Magpies defence rushed the ball through for a behind. Not to be denied, the Bombers found a way to win back possession.
Enter a then-19-year-old David Zaharakis.
Cometh the man, cometh the hour.
After marking Nathan Lovett-Murray's short pass, Zaharakis immediately played on, launching the heavy Sherrin from just inside 50, despite late Collingwood pressure, to cover himself in glory as Bombers supporters roared in unison.
As Channel 10 commentator Stephen Quartermain iconicly described the moment: "He goes short. It's a mark. To Zaharakis, Zaharakis, Zaharakis has kicked a goal. THE BOMBERS ARE IN FRONT AT THE G."
