Anzac Day lived up to the occasion with Collingwood and Essendon playing out an 85-85 draw at the MCG.
The Bombers felt like the better team across the afternoon, but the Magpies remained in striking distance.
Both teams would be feeling like they should have come away with the four points, but the Dons would likely take more confidence away from the performance.
See our grades for every player on Anzac Day!
Essendon
Kyle Langford – A-
If he slots that last goal, he finishes with five and an Anzac Day Medal. He misses and we finish in a draw. Still had an excellent afternoon.
Nic Martin – A-
Kane Cornes has called for teams to push their best ball users forward of the ball, rather than allowing them to simply accumulate deep in defence and that's exactly what Essendon did with Martin in the fourth term. He immediately kicked a goal and set up the next one.
Andrew McGrath A-
Had an excellent game across half back both finding the footy and breaking up marking contests.
Zach Merrett – A-
Collected the Anzac Day medal. Had a strong outing, but it's not one he'd be writing home about. He's become an incredibly consistent player. Would want that last kick back in the dying seconds.
Darcy Parish – B+
Had an outstanding first three quarters, but only four disposals in the last quarter with everything on the line.
Todd Goldstein – B
Continues to prove he probably should have left North Melbourne a few years earlier than he did. Offering so much to this Essendon side. Been a fantastic pick up.
Jye Caldwell – B
Used the ball well all afternoon and found 24 disposals. Had a great game.
Jake Stringer – B
Looked like the most dangerous player on the ground at times and kicked a great goal early on. Kicked three behinds after that and didn't make the most of his chances.
Sam Durham – B
Peter Wright – B
Two early goals and a few big marks, but faded in the second half.
Dyson Heppell – B
Used as a link in possession chains across half back. Found a lot of space across the afternoon.
Harrison Jones – C+
Still shows signs that he could be absolutely anything. Was subbed out in the fourth term after a head knock.
Xavier Duursma – C+
Played a defensive wing role for most of the afternoon. Had 10 touches in the final term and worked his way into the game.
Nik Cox – C
Was quite involved early and is not yet the finished product, but turned the ball over at crucial times.
Sam Draper – C
Did the Bombers go in too tall with both rucks and Peter Wright? It feels that way in hindsight.
Ben Hobbs – C
Jade Gresham – C
Only the five kicks. Essendon would be hoping for more creativity from their key recruit.
Mason Redman – C
Ben McKay – C
Well beaten today by Mihocek and was the stepladder for Jamie Elliott's hanger. The most expensive stepladder in AFL history.
Jake Kelly – C
Alwyn Davey Jnr – C-
Doesn't find enough of the footy at this stage of his career, but doesn't put enough pressure on either.
Jayden Laverde – C-
Nick Hind – N/A
Subbed in at three quarter time.
Collingwood
Nick Daicos – A-
Last year's Anzac Day Medallist wasn't his usual prolific self, but every disposal had impact. He remains one of the best kicks in the league.
Scott Pendlebury – B+
Scott Pendlebury became the first V/AFL player to reach 10,000 career disposals on Anzac Day. An incredible achievement worth celebrating.
John Noble – B+
Used the ball incredibly well in a high pressure game. Continuing what has been a great start to the season.
Darcy Moore – B+
Played his usual aggressive game in defence.
Brody Mihocek – B+
Clearly the most dangerous Pie forward of centre and could have had an enormous afternoon. Finished with 3.3 and put one out on the full. Given the nature of the game, he'd be kicking himself.
Josh Daicos – B
Beau McCreery – B
Had a big impact in the fourth term with his speed and pressure. Kicked a big goal.
Brayden Maynard – B
Jamie Elliott – B
Kicked his two goals and took mark of the year (so far).
Jordan De Goey – C+
Reasonably quiet by his lofty standards. Might have some MRO concerns after a dangerous tackle in the third term.
Darcy Cameron – C+
Bobby Hill – C+
Showed some incredible craft setting up a goal in the first half, but finished with 0.3 for the afternoon.
Patrick Lipinski – C+
Jack Crisp – C
A very quiet afternoon for Crisp. Can hold his head high, however. Most of his touches were contested and he tackled hard.
Isaac Quaynor – C
Tom Mitchell – C
Subbed out at three quarter time as the Pies hoped to inject a bit more pace around the ball. Had 19 disposals, but only two clearances and two score involvements.
Jeremy Howe – C-
Another veteran Pie who appears to be struggling for consistency.
Mason Cox – C-
Billy Frampton – C-
Has had a great year as a key defender, but the Essendon key forwards got the points today.
Will Hoskin-Elliott – D
Was the hero last week, but barely sighted today.
Lachie Schultz – C
Kicked a nice set shot goal in the third term, but is still yet to really have a game that would make Pies fans feel better about the first-round pick they spent on him.
Steele Sidebottom – D
Stuck on three disposals for much of the afternoon. You have to wonder whether he's no longer a player who can perform week-in week-out at 33.
Harvey Harrison – N/A
Subbed in at three quarter time.
