Collingwood captain Darcy Moore has paid a poignant tribute to acting servicemen and servicewomen, veterans and their families after a dramatic Anzac Day match in front of a record crowd.
The MCG was packed with 95,179 fans, the fixture's biggest crowd and the second-largest regular-season attendance ever, as Collingwood fought back from a 28-point deficit at the final change to win 13.12 (90) to 11.11 (77).
Eloquent first-year captain Moore impressed with his class when accepting the trophy.
"No matter whether you wear the black and white stripes or the red sash, this game is about so much more than four points," he said.
"I want to thank and mention all men and women who are serving our country's interests, both at home and abroad, in war and in peacekeeping operations.
"It means a lot to me and the team and the whole club that we can commemorate your service and your sacrifice today by doing what we do.
"To the veterans, there are over 600,000 veterans in this country who have returned from service, we also extend our thanks to you for your sacrifice.
"To the families of those serving and those veterans, too often your stories go untold and on behalf of the Collingwood footy club, just want to acknowledge the pain of war that runs through so many families across this country."
Collingwood's Nick Daicos, awarded the Anzac Day Medal as best-on-ground, embraced the "huge honour" of playing on the day.
"We've had people speak around the club during the week (about) what it means to so many people and the effect it's had on so many people," he said.
"So we're super grateful to go out there and represent those people.
"I know we say that war can never be likened to football and I do agree, so we just try and give our all in that aspect."
Essendon coach Brad Scott said the occasion was important for the league.
"I said to our players, and even the coaches, 'we're too young to remember what our Australian soldiers have gone and done for us'," he said.
"Anzac Day is really important to all Australians and New Zealanders, but I think the AFL have done an exceptional job of putting it back front and centre.
"All these players, they're too young to understand. We talked about, it's hard to fathom sending a 18,19, 20-year-old off to defend your country and fight for the freedoms that we enjoy today."
* FIVE BIGGEST ANZAC DAY CROWDS BETWEEN COLLINGWOOD AND ESSENDON
1. 95,179 in 2023
2. 94,825 in 1995
3. 93,373 in 2013
4. 92,241 in 2019
5. 91,731 in 2014
