Kyle Langford's chance to win Essendon the game, with about two minutes or a tick down, was one he would convert at least half the time – about 35 meters and less than a 45-degree angle. If he had nailed the shot, the Dons probably would have gone up, although Collingwood is harder to contain than Rasputin. Merrett told Channel Seven that Langford would be his first choice to take the money.
But Langford's earlier goal had been tremendous (giving the Dons a two-goal lead) and his brace moments before the final quarter had been the prelude to Nic Martin's stunning snap as the Bombers came from seven points behind to recover. the impulse
Twice or three times on the verge of succumbing to Collingwood's pressure and experience, the Dons showed an ability to weather waves and periods of prime ministerial ascendancy. Critically, their back six held up during those attacks – Ben McKay is no Stephen Silvagni's brainchild, but his presence and size have certainly improved Essendon's backline and defensive ability.
In the second quarter, when Collingwood went back and owned field position, Essendon's defense did enough to avoid a similar defeat to when the Pies trampled Port Adelaide five days earlier.
The Dons outscored the Pies in contested balls (more than 20 for the Bombers) and especially in central clearances (19-8) for almost the entire game. Overall, they were the team that played with more scope and enterprise.
The Pies need to consider whether they are fielding teams without the right balance of experience/restraint and energy/vibrancy as Craig McRae has once again erred on the side of veterans and proven campaigners. Steele Sidebottom, for example, struggled.
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It was notable that youngster Harvey Harrison sparked Collingwood when he came on as a substitute for Tom Mitchell in the last quarter.
The young Dons had made a ballistic start, racking up four goals in quick succession from the opener. Darcy Parish, dominated of late, broke one and was on his game. Jake Stringer predictably smashed one from 53 yards out against the boundary in front of the MCC crowd (and then missed from 15 yards) and hit the center bounces, while Peter Wright from two meters was troubling Darcy Moore and the Collingwood defense with a couple of goals.
Merrett, no less predictable than Stringer's hits and misses, was playing with his metronomic productivity, a production he maintained for the full two hours.
In the Anzac Medal voting, Merrett overshadowed his vice-captain Andy McGrath, who also stepped up and played smart throughout. The Dons had more than their best players on the day. Parish and Martin excelled, as did veteran ex-skipper Dyson Heppell and Langford, whose four goals were pivotal.
Both sides can point to times when opportunities ran out. Elliott, had he latched on to a mark in the forward pocket with 24 seconds remaining, would probably have broken Essendon hearts again, as he did late in 2022 from near the other end boundary. This time one point would be enough.
History repeated itself, but it was a repeat of the historic 1995 draw, not the 2022 Elliott-Collingwood sweep.
Essendon didn't deserve to lose this epic and while they only won two premiership points, they didn't lose anything in the bigger scheme of things.
