Thursday’s Anzac Day match will mark the 10^th anniversary of one of the most memorable moments in Essendon’s history.

Thirty minutes had been played in the final term of the annual blockbuster, the Bombers trailed Collingwood by a point and driving rain had made the Sherrin feel like a bar of soap.

But what was to follow would be written into football folklore. Enter a lifelong Bombers fan in just his fourth match.

The Dons were almost out of hope just a handful of minutes earlier after being forced to play a man down throughout the match following a serious knee injury to ruckman David Hille just two minutes into a match.

But the side showed great grit and determination, matching the Magpies all day and taking a nine-point lead into the last quarter.

As hard as Essendon tried, the team appeared to be running on empty in the last term, with Collingwood booting four of the first five goals in the quarter and peppering the goals to take a 14-point lead.

The rain began to fall and famous Magpies cheersquad leader Jeff ‘Joffa’ Corfe certainly thought the game was over, donning his customary gold jacket to indicate that the match had been won. But the Bombers had other ideas.

Small forward Leroy Jetta – courtesy of a sensational dashing assist from Andrew Lovett – got the breakthrough they were after in the 26th minute of the term.

Still up against it, sensational pressure from Jetta forced a Collingwood turnover and Ricky Dyson put his trusty left foot to good use, booting a brilliant goal from deep in the right forward flank to bring the Bombers within two points.

Jetta had a chance to kick his own game-winner soon after, but he squandered what seemed like a last-gasp opportunity as the Pies forced a rushed behind.

Paddy Ryder was in the right spot to compete in the air for the subsequent kick-out and from there, the Bombers pulled off a remarkable play.

Jason Winderlich gathered, Heath Hocking dished off the hands and Nathan Lovett-Murray showed elite composure to dink the ball to the edge of the forward 50, seeing it land in the hands of then youngster David Zaharakis.

Full of energy and enthusiasm, the draftee immediately played on and following a rushed five steps under extreme pressure, he set sail as he was crunched from the side.

As soon as the ball left Zaharakis’ boot, you knew the result could only be a stadium-rattling goal.

It flew straight over the goal umpire’s hat. The Bombers were in front.

Some nervous seconds followed as the Bombers flooded back into defence, but the final siren blew almost immediately after the centre bounce. Essendon, by five points.

The golden moment will never be forgotten and I have no doubt it still gives plenty of Essendon fans goosebumps whenever they revisit the famous finish.

Those who were lucky enough to be at the MCG will always remember the rumbling stands, and those who watched on TV or listened on the radio can probably recall the commentary line for line.

This year’s edition of the game is arguably the most anticipated since that remarkable day as both clubs enter it with confidence, and only time will tell who can add the next chapter to the story of the emotional annual blockbuster.

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