The Magpies 18.12 (120) defeated the Bombers 8.7 (55) in front of a crowd of 90,070 -the ninth best VFL/AFL home-and-away attendance - notching up their eighth win from 16 Anzac Day encounters.
After a slow start Bombers finally opened their account 14 seconds into the second quarter, when Scott Gumbleton kicked truly.
Although the Dons stayed with the Pies in the second term, losing the quarter by just two points, they were still up against it heading into half-time.
And when Collingwood kicked six goals to two in the third quarter, the match was well and truly over.
In his 14th Anzac Day match the competition's oldest player, Dustin Fletcherwas one of Essendon's best with a match-best 12 rebounds. Young defender Tayte Pears and Brent Stanton (a game-high 34 disposals) also worked tirelessly.
Key forward Travis Cloke had the biggest impact on the match with four first-half goals.
He was assisted by some outstanding work throughout the match from ball-winners Dayne Beams, Sharrod Wellingham, Scott Pendlebury (who was rewarded with the Anzac Day Medal) and Ben Johnson.
In attack, Alan Didak was pivotal in setting up six scoring assists. Down back, Heath Shaw provided his usual rebound and run.
Big man Josh Fraser was also influential with three goals.
The Pies set up the win with a stunning first quarter.
Collingwood booted seven goals from 12 scoring shots as Essendon managed just three behinds.
Cloke was outstanding with three goals, including a beautiful set-shot banana kick from the boundary line, helping the Pies to a 44-point lead at the first break.
Collingwood has now dropped just one match from five rounds, with Essendon winning only one game for the season.
Collingwood 7.5 11.8 17.9 18.12 (120)
Essendon 0.3 4.4 6.5 8.7 (55)
GOALS
Collingwood: Cloke 4, Fraser 3, Wellingham 2, Dawes 2, Johnson, Thomas, Toovey, Medhurst, Pendlebury, Beams, Didak
Essendon: Gumbleton 2, Dempsey 2, Hurley, Reimers, Zaharakis, Hooker
BEST
Collingwood: Beams, Cloke, Pendlebury, Didak, Fraser, Shaw, Johnson
Essendon: Dempsey, Gumbleton, Reimers, Fletcher, Watson
INJURIES
Collingwood: Nil
Essendon: Nil
REPORTS
Collingwood: Harry O'Brien, reported for striking Henry Slattery, by umpire Shaun Ryan in the fourth quarter
Essendon: Nil
Umpires: Vozzo, Ryan, Avon
Official crowd: 90,070 at MCG
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
