Essendon has withstood a typical late Collingwood push to hold on for a statement-making 12-point win at the MCG on Friday night.
Plenty had been made of the top-four Bombers' inability to beat a team in the top eight so far this season, but Essendon emphatically answered its critics with the 13.14 (92) to 12.8 (80) victory that moves them into third spot on the ladder.
Essendon skipper Zach Merrett kicked the first goal of the game before Collingwood responded with the next five - including three in three minutes to Jack Crisp - in an electric opening term.
Bombers forward Jake Stringer kicked his first and only goal of the game on the quarter-time siren to steady the onslaught and bring the margin back to 15 points.
Despite the worrying signs in the first quarter, the Bombers, led by Merrett, found a way to work themselves back into the game and were in complete control post-quarter time.
The Bombers captain had the ball on a string, registering 20 disposals and 10 score involvements in a blistering opening half, before finishing with 30 disposals, five clearances, 15 score involvements and a goal to be one of his side's best.
The Bombers led by as much as 31 points in the final quarter before Collingwood kicked three late goals to bring the margin back.
Essendon fell off a cliff in the second half of Brad Scott's first season at the helm. After turning for home 8-5, the Bombers lost seven of 10 on the road to September, including the final two games by a combined margin of 196 points, to miss the month that matters most.
Friday night showed they are more reliable, mature and capable of matching the best.
Kevin Sheedy was synonymous with the premiership quarter. Essendon hasn't been close to reaching the final day of the season since the legendary four-time premiership coach departed, but it was the third quarter that shaped the game with the Bombers kicking four goals to none during a period that essentially ended the game.
Collingwood kicked four of the final five goals of the game to make the Bombers fret late, given the reigning premiers history of coming-from-behind late under Craig McRae.
But it was too little, too late.
The Bombers' decision to go with Sam Draper one-out in the ruck against Darcy Cameron and the call to recall last year's No.10 Nate Caddy paid dividends, while Dylan Shiel grasped a rare opportunity in 2024 after a long stint in the VFL.
But it was Zach Merrett and Jye Caldwell who helped Essendon not only match Collingwood's stacked midfield, but beat them.
Although it didn't look like heading that way early.
Harry Jones and Zach Merrett had the first two shots from the exact same patch of grass, just inside 50m in the tennis centre pocket. Jones shanked his shot, Merrett nailed it.
But it wasn't a sign of a fast start. With Charlie Dean recalled, Jeremy Howe was used in attack and quickly hit the scoreboard with an early win on Jayden Laverde.
Despite the Bombers having more early chances, Jack Crisp made something from nothing. Not once, but three times in less than three minutes, equalling his career-high goal tally in a staggering succession of blows.
Essendon had enough chances early, but Collingwood's defensive setup forced the shots from low percentage areas beyond 40m, from tight angles.
Jake Stringer gave them some reward after the quarter-time siren, reducing the margin to 15 points.
Merrett kept Essendon in it just when Collingwood was pushing away. It was the skipper that helped propel the Bombers forward in a play that ended up in Kyle Langford's first goal. And it was him again that changed the play that resulted in a Caddy goal to put the game back under 10 points.
But just when the Magpies needed its experienced stars to make an impact, Jordan De Goey, Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury all won critical contests to halt Essendon's momentum. The Bombers intensity shifted in the second quarter and they got within two points, but couldn't hit the lead.
After being held to five touches – including four under pressure clearances – by Sam Durham in the first quarter, Nick Daicos reached half-time with 19 to his name, as the Brownlow Medal contender started to get off the leash.
Essendon wasted two golden opportunities to start the second half, but it didn't stop them coming.
The Bombers had eight of the first 10 inside 50s and levelled the scores when Sam Draper calmly slotted a goal after receiving the free kick. Then Peter Wright juggled a pack mark to give Essendon the lead for the first time in an hour.
Collingwood never looked like scoring in the third quarter, while the Bombers kicked 4.4 to 0.3 and should have got even more reward on the scoreboard after a dominant burst that reignited its season.
Collingwood's phenomenal record of coming from behind in fourth quarters kept Essendon supporters nervous at the final change, but when Matt Guelfi kicked the first, the Magpies' aura faded.
They rallied late, as they always do. They are never really out of it. But they were never really in it after half-time. And they might not be in the eight by the end of the weekend.
Prized pick takes chance
Nate Caddy was unlucky to be left out against Geelong and showed why on the Friday night stage. After making his debut in front of nearly 80,000 against Richmond in round 11, the 2023 pick No.10 showed he can handle the setting. Caddy took a handful of strong grabs, finishing with 1.3 from 12 disposals and six marks in his third game.
COLLINGWOOD 5.2 8.4 8.7 12.8 (80)
ESSENDON 2.5 6.8 10.12 13.14 (92)
GOALS
Collingwood: Crisp 3, Howe 2, Harrison 2, Kreuger 2, Mihocek, Pendlebury, Schultz
Essendon: Langford 2, Wright 2, Caddy, Caldwell, Draper, Duursma, Gresham, Guelfi, Jones, Merrett, Stringer
BEST
Collingwood: N. Daicos, Crisp, Sidebottom, Pendlebury
Essendon: Merrett, Caldwell, Draper, Durham, Shiel, McKay
INJURIES
Collingwood: Mihocek (pectoral), Quaynor (leg)
Essendon: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Collingwood: Ned Long (replaced Charlie Dean in the third quarter)
Essendon: Nick Hind (replaced Nate Caddy in the fourth quarter)
Crowd: 81,711 at the MCG
