A four day break counted for nothing as Collingwood and Essendon fought it out in a final quarter that capped off an ANZAC Day clash for the ages.
Although the Bombers snatched the lead with minutes remaining, a late Jarryd Blair goal claimed victory for a gutsy Collingwood team that didn't know when to lie down.
Dane Swan was a deserving ANZAC Day Medallist after winning 42 disposals and three goals.
Collingwood 2.4 5.6 9.8 11.14 (80)
Essendon 1.3 3.6 7.8 11.13 (79)
Goals - Collingwood: Cloke 3, Swan 3, Blair 2, Sidebottom, Jolly, Beams
Best - Collingwood: Swan, Clarke, Pendlebury, Beams, Wellingham, Toovey
The reason we're playing in the first place.
All the best, skip.
Football takes a back seat as 86,932 pay tribute to our ANZACs.
Side by Side we reflect together during the most spine-tingling moment in Australian sport.
They really should still be playing...
"Hi there, I'd like to order the Dane Swan supreme, please. A base of 42 possessions, a layer of three goals, a sprinkling of six tackles and a large ANZAC Day Medal."
"No problem sir. Would you like a sleeve tattoo with that? Please move forward to the next disposal."
He did it on the ground, and he did it in the air. The boy from Westmeadows was everywhere.
The whole country's watching, but Travis Cloke is still able to have some fun after roosting one of his three goals from 50m deep.
Jarryd Blair to full forward? Thoughts on that one, Rocket? For all we know, it could be the match winning move.
The ANZAC Day Medallist from 2006 was right back in contention in 2012. Ben Johnson always shines in a big game.
Jobe Watson and Alex Fasolo share their love for the Sherrin.
Travis Cloke looking more like a statue of a Greek God as he stretches for one of his seven marks; Ben Sinclair was busy in the forward line in the final term.
Two boys from Western Australia, Sharrod Wellingham and Kirk Ugle, made their mark on the Melbourne Cricket Ground on ANZAC Day.
Trouble in paradise...
Not this time, Zaharakis, says Simon Buckley.
86,932 people hold their collective breath as Jarryd Blair tries some acrobatics as he attempts to steer Collingwood to victory.
Time for the boy from Wonthaggi to celebrate. The match winning goal on ANZAC Day? You beauty!
The siren. The agony and ecstasy of a game of football.
The siren. Pandemonium. The Pies are home at the MCG!
Nathan Brown and Ben Johnson raise their arms in triumph. The last time Brown played in a losing side was round 22, 2010, against Hawthorn. Welcome back Browny!
Winning? Yep, we LIKE that!
Dane Swan's weight isn't an issue, but the weight of his trophy cabinet is. That thing could probably sink a ship by now.
The Magpies have held the ANZAC Day trophy at the end of six of their last seven meetings with Essendon on this historic day.
Sorry Kirk, but not even the jubilation of a one-point ANZAC Day win will make the players forget the obligatory Powerade shower.
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