ANOTHER year, another epic Essendon and Collingwood Anzac Day clash at the MCG. Here's what we found out this time around.

1. Essendon are the real deal

Two successful interstate trips against highly-fancied opponents and now a streak-snapping victory against the Pies. Punters were shying away from the Dons in the lead-up to Anzac Day, with the absence of Dustin Fletcher and Paddy Ryder tipped as the difference, with Travis Cloke running riot last week against Richmond. But the Bombers now have the 'D' word - depth - and genuine competition for spots among about a dozen players both in and outside of Thursday's 22. We said this last year (and look what happened), but if the five-from-five Bombers can get past Geelong in a fortnight, they should already be eyeing a top four finish.



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2. Two games do not a Cloke autumn make

Travis Cloke was being whispered about as a source of Buddy-like dominance after two stellar performances in two weeks. But the Collingwood forward hurtled back to earth in a big way under that weight of expectation and was well held by Jake Carlisle and his mates. Cloke received plenty of attention but dropped the kind of marks he was clunking last week and kicked just a couple of majors. That's two ordinary showings out of five for the big man. He ain't No.1 yet.

3. Stay out of the weights room

It's best not to be too strong, apparently. Two confusing umpiring decisions - both in favour of Essendon - were blights on what was otherwise an enthralling battle. First, Ben Reid turned Tom Bellchambers in a contest deep inside 50, pushed the Bomber in the side and chest and was pinged, resulting in a goal (see Nathan Buckley's reaction above). Then Quinten Lynch was later rolled for muscling Bellchambers out of a ruck contest. Whatever the rulings, they were physical duels that should have been let go. Please explain, ump.

4. Pendles is peeved

When you collect 29 possessions and kick two goals - including one from 40m out on your opposite foot - you can pretty much say what you want. But stand-in Collingwood skipper Scott Pendlebury raised more than a few eyebrows when he ripped into his teammates post-game, accusing them of "cheating" by floating downfield in search of cheap kicks. An angry Pendles is a scary Pendles.

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5. Carlisle is all he's cracked up to be

Could Essendon stop Travis Cloke? Without Fletcher to float across contests with those spindly arms, it was the question on everyone's lips before the bounce. Three hours later, Carlisle had yet another scalp, having spoiled most of Cloke's best chances or spooked him into spilling the rest. Yes, the young defender often had help, but the he could hardly be faulted on another remarkable performance.

6. Goldsack won't be in green for long

Can't see Tyson Goldsack being given the sub's vest again. The Pies utility had more influence inside 50 in his quarter-and-a-bit, after coming on for Ben Sinclair, than most of his teammates had in the entire game. Maybe it's the headband, maybe it's the red beard...either way, he showed plenty in his eight-possession, two-goal cameo.

7. The Pies and Dons can have their day

No team deserves Anzac Day more than any other team, but after Collingwood and Essendon pulled the third-biggest home and away crowd in AFL history yesterday, surely we can end the argument about those sides having the rights to it. They do it well, they fill the MCG every year and the game is almost universally watched on the box by supporters of other clubs.

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8. Toovey loss will hurt...

Innocuous as it was, Alan Toovey's knee injury will sting the Pies more than they'll care to admit. Already short on defenders who can lock down small forwards, Toovey was one of Collingwood's best before his leg gave way in the second half. With Ben Johnson still to return and Nick Maxwell watching from the sidelines, things are looking very thin down back.

9. ...but there is some good news

Toovey can take plenty out of Jason Winderlich's performance. Winderlich had 19 disposals and kicked three goals in the Bombers' win, after returning from a horror run of injuries that included rupturing his ACL in 2011 and ripping his hamstring last year. Winderlich was back to his explosive best at the MCG and was among the most influential players on the ground.

10. Alwyn Davey is tiny

No earth-shattering revelation there, but it'd be great if his Essendon teammates learned it, too. At least 10 times this season a fellow Bomber has seen Davey one-out against a (much taller) opponent inside 50 and promptly launched a mortar on top of his bonce. Fact: Davey has more chance of winning an arm wrestle against Travis Cloke than he does of outmarking someone overhead. Stop kicking it there.