AFL Anzac Day 2025 LIVE updates: Jamie Elliott bags five goals as the Pies claim Anzac Day honours over the Bombers

Essendon took the lead in the third term but the Pies pushed away from there to win an Anzac Day blockbuster in front of more than 92,000 fans.

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Key posts6.44pmPies confident McStay has dodged ACL injury 6.41pmHow Sidebottom won the Anzac Medal 6.26pmMagpies veterans shine over young Dons 6.18pmPendlebury raves about Daicos; hopes McStay can return 6.12pmPies too good despite Dons’ best efforts 6.05pmThe medallist is... 6.03pmFull-time stats 6.00pmFT: Collingwood 16.11 (107) d Essendon 10.6 (66)

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Pinned post from 6.12pm

Pies too good despite Dons’ best efforts By Andrew Wu

Early in the second half, Essendon dared to dream of a stunning Anzac Day upset. The optimism lasted just a few minutes.

Collingwood reigned supreme on the biggest occasion day of the home-and-away campaign, and they look as good as any team to be back at the MCG in five months’ time for the most important game of the season.

Billy Frampton of the Magpies spoils a mark against Essendon on Anzac Day.Credit: Getty Images

The Magpies overcame a plucky Bombers team to win by 41 points – 16.11 (107) to 10.6 (66) – in front of 92,044 fans, who braved teeming rain to see Fly’s Pies consolidate themselves at the top of both the ladder and premiership calculations.

This was a game the Pies had to win twice. A smashing beckoned early in the second term when the Pies’ lead blew out to 27 points only for Essendon to mount a surprising revival that took them briefly into the lead in the third quarter.

From the moment Isaac Kako put the Dons in front five minutes into the third term, the Pies slammed on 10 goals to three.

Veteran Steele Sidebottom claimed the medal for best afield with 15 clearances among his 36 disposals, though either of the Daicos brothers, Josh and Nick, and Jamie Elliott, the best forward on the field with five goals, would also have been worthy winners.

Ironman Jack Crisp earned himself an early finish and is set to break Jim Stynes’ record for most consecutive games next week when he plays his 245th match in a row.

The only concern for the Magpies is a left knee injury to key forward Dan McStay, who was subbed out of the game. It is the same knee in which McStay suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the 2023 preliminary final.

The Bombers were game but ultimately outclassed, unable to match the Pies’ intensity and pressure at the contest, though it took until the final quarter for the Magpies to finally shake them off.

Zach Merrett was their best while youngster Zach Reid’s stocks continue to rise after a steely display in defence.

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6.44pm

Pies confident McStay has dodged ACL injury By Andrew Wu

The Magpies are confident Dan McStay has avoided damage to his anterior cruciate ligament and that he had hurt his medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Scans over the weekend will reveal the extent of the injury though it’s likely the Pies will have to make do without McStay for at least the short-term future.

6.41pm

How Sidebottom won the Anzac Medal

Here are how the votes played out for the Anzac Day Medal as Steele Sidebottom claimed his second medal with 12 votes.

Steele Sidebottom of the Magpies is tackled by Dylan Shiel of the Bombers.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

Abbey Holmes (Channel Seven – Chairperson)3. Steele Sidebottom2. Jamie Elliott1. Josh Daicos

Nathan Buckley (Fox Footy)3. Steele Sidebottom2. Josh Daicos1. Jamie Elliott

Chris Johnson (NIRS)3. Steele Sidebottom2. Jamie Elliott1. Josh Daicos

Gavin Wanganeen (Australian Football Hall of Fame Member)3. Steele Sidebottom2. Jamie Elliott1. Josh Daicos

6.34pm

Final teams named for Sunday

The teams for Sunday’s AFL games have been finalised.

The Blues will welcome back Harry McKay from concussion at the expense of Lewis Young.

Harry McKay after leaving the ground.Credit: Getty Images

They face the Cats, who have brought back Oisin Mullin and Jhye Clark. Oliver Wiltshire will also debut for Geelong.

Gryan Miers will miss through injury, as will Mitch Knevitt. Ted Clohesy has been dropped.

The Hawks and Eagles will close out the round on Sunday evening and there are some big names among the ins.

Jack Ginnivan is back for Hawthorn alongside Henry Hustwaite and Bailey Macdonald, while Oscar Allen leads the ins for the Eagles alongside Tom Cole and Noah Long. Eagles Tim Kelly (injury), Harry Edwards and Tom Gross are the outs.

Conor Nash will miss for Hawthorn after copping a four-match suspension earlier this week, while Luke Breust has been managed and Changkuoth Jiath has been dropped.

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6.26pm

Magpies veterans shine over young Dons By Jake Niall

Collingwood’s advantage in experience – evident in the contributions of Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Crisp, and Elliott’s five goals – was always the biggest reason that Essendon were long odds to win this game.

The Dons were spirited, and, as ever, were well led by Zach Merrett, but they didn’t have the even spread of performers across the field and were beaten in the clearances, for forward-half turnovers (43 points to 19) and for territory overall.

Jamie Elliott celebrates a goal.Credit: Getty Images

The outcome was pretty much on budget for what these clubs have produced to date this year. Collingwood are strong again, and will be involved in another huge clash against the Cats in eight days.

Their major concern, though, is the knee injury to Daniel McStay.

We’re awaiting an update on the level and nature of McStay’s injury, with the Pies hopeful it is “only” a medial ligament sprain to his left knee.

6.18pm

Pendlebury raves about Daicos; hopes McStay can return

Scott Pendlebury spoke with Fox Footy post game.

On how he and Steele Sidebottom continue to star despite being well into their 30s.

“I think sports science has come a long way from the guys who are now retired and I think you will see more guys playing well into their 30s moving forward,” he said.

“Me and Sidey are just trying to be parts of a cog that work really well for one another – our motto at Collingwood is side by side and that’s what we are trying to do.”

Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies and Ben Hobbs of the Bombers wrestle during the Anzac Day game.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

On Nick Daicos captaining Collingwood.

“I just let him know that I was here for anything he needed by I let him do it himself as he’s a natural leader.

“He played amazing, he plays amazing whether he has that title or not but it was special watching him lead the boys out today.”

On Dan McStay’s knee injury.

“I saw him go down and fingers crossed that it is only short-term.”

6.12pm

Pies too good despite Dons’ best efforts By Andrew Wu

Early in the second half, Essendon dared to dream of a stunning Anzac Day upset. The optimism lasted just a few minutes.

Collingwood reigned supreme on the biggest occasion day of the home-and-away campaign, and they look as good as any team to be back at the MCG in five months’ time for the most important game of the season.

Billy Frampton of the Magpies spoils a mark against Essendon on Anzac Day.Credit: Getty Images

The Magpies overcame a plucky Bombers team to win by 41 points – 16.11 (107) to 10.6 (66) – in front of 92,044 fans, who braved teeming rain to see Fly’s Pies consolidate themselves at the top of both the ladder and premiership calculations.

This was a game the Pies had to win twice. A smashing beckoned early in the second term when the Pies’ lead blew out to 27 points only for Essendon to mount a surprising revival that took them briefly into the lead in the third quarter.

From the moment Isaac Kako put the Dons in front five minutes into the third term, the Pies slammed on 10 goals to three.

Veteran Steele Sidebottom claimed the medal for best afield with 15 clearances among his 36 disposals, though either of the Daicos brothers, Josh and Nick, and Jamie Elliott, the best forward on the field with five goals, would also have been worthy winners.

Ironman Jack Crisp earned himself an early finish and is set to break Jim Stynes’ record for most consecutive games next week when he plays his 245th match in a row.

The only concern for the Magpies is a left knee injury to key forward Dan McStay, who was subbed out of the game. It is the same knee in which McStay suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in the 2023 preliminary final.

The Bombers were game but ultimately outclassed, unable to match the Pies’ intensity and pressure at the contest, though it took until the final quarter for the Magpies to finally shake them off.

Zach Merrett was their best while youngster Zach Reid’s stocks continue to rise after a steely display in defence.

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6.05pm

The medallist is... By Andrew Wu

Steele Sidebottom has won the Anzac Day Medal.

More to come.

6.03pm

Full-time stats

6.00pm

FT: Collingwood 16.11 (107) d Essendon 10.6 (66)

Collingwood have been too good for too long, beating Essendon in their annual Anzac Day clash at the MCG.

The Dons took the lead early in the third term but the Pies regained the edge and were in control from then on as veteran Steele Sidebottom, superstar Nick Daicos and forward Jamie Elliott led from the front.

Nick Daicos of the Magpies.Credit: Getty Images

Zach Merrett and Sam Durham showed plenty for the Dons but their side just couldn’t keep up with the men in black and white as 92,044 fans watched on.

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5.54pm

Elliott kicks his fifth goal

Has Jamie Elliott made a late charge for the best on ground medal?

I’d think Steele Sidebottom, Josh Daicos or Scott Pendlebury would still be the leaders for the medal but now Elliott has five goals.

Dan Houston (left) and Jamie Elliott of the Magpies celebrate a goal.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images

In wet conditions, perhaps those goals could count for more than usual. Time will tell.

Pies 101, Dons 66 with four mins to go.

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