The annual ANZAC match between Collingwood Magpies and Essendon Bombers is to be played today. The opening bounce will commence at 2:40pm infront of a sold out crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Last time the two teams met Collingwood won by seventy four points in round 19 last year.

Essendon are hoping to continue their unbeaten record this season after a very good win last weekend over the Premiership favourites Carlton Blues whilst Collingwood  have continued to improve after starting th season slowly.

Essendon lose Michael Hurley for the game which may prove to be a massive loss but ANZAC day matches are always tight.

Collingwood have regained Nathan Brown which will be a massive boost to their back line.

Collingwood will start the match as favourites but it is pretty even on paper when you take into account previous matches this season but the team sheet of the Magpies looks to be better than that of the Bombers and if the team can lift to their best form they should be able to overcome Essendon today.

Tip: Collingwood by 8 points.

WHERE AND WHEN: MCG, Wednesday April 25, 2.40pm
LAST TIME: Collingwood 25.16 (166) d Essendon 14.8 (92), round 19, 2011, at the MCG

Odds:

Collingwood Magpies $1.72 vs Essendon Bombers $2.18 at Sportsbet Australia

Collingwood Magpies $1.67 vs Essendon Bombers $2.25 at Luxbet Australia

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COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 

• B: Heritier O’Brien, Lachlan Keeffe, Nathan Brown
• HB: Simon Buckley, Nick Maxwell, Tyson Goldsack
• C: Dane Swan, Sharrod Wellingham, Ben Johnson
• HF: Paul Seedsman, Chris Dawes, Ben Sinclair
• F: Dayne Beams, Travis Cloke, Alex Fasolo
• Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom
• I/C: Alan Toovey, Martin Clarke, Jarryd Blair, Kirk Ugle
• Emg: Alan Didak, Cameron Wood, Tom Young

• In: Nathan Brown, Kirk Ugle
• Out: Tom Young, Jackson Paine
• New: Kirk Ugle (Swan Districts (WAFL))