Essendon star Darcy Parish has come under fire to a poor effort that provided Collingwood with the catalyst to run away with a big win in the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster.
After a scrappy first half, the Bombers found themselves within nine points when Nate Caddy kicked a brilliant solo effort to open the third quarter.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Pendlebury exploits Essendon’s defensive lapse
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But with momentum behind them, Bombers veteran midfielder Parish committed a shocking turnover in the back half with a poor handball to a flat-footed Lachie Blakiston.
Beau McCreery was able to intercept the slow handball before the ball fell to ageless champion Scott Pendlebury, who was almost in slow motion, as he eventually evaded two Bombers and kicked a big goal.
Parish could be seen slowly jogging in the background in a move that drew immediate criticism from Channel 7 commentator Nick Riewoldt.
“So just watch Parrish here. There’s the turnover. But look at the follow-up to try and mop it up,” he said.
“This is just a jog. And then finally, at the last second, he’s like, ‘oh, I think I can get him now’.”
Dale Thomas agreed: “It’s a great pick-up. You look at that intent compared to what (Archer) Day-Wicks brought before. If he had have committed to it, he would have got hands-on and been able to tackle Pendlebury once he stepped aside for the second time.”
Parish was an All-Australian in 2021, but his career has stagnated since that stellar season, mainly due to injuries.
The goal put Collingwood up by 16 points and laid the platform for a devastating 15-minute spell.
They piled on six goals to just one from Essendon to effectively put the game to bed by three-quarter time when the margin ballooned out to 43 points.
It could have been even greater if the Pies kicked straight as they finished with a wasteful 6.7 for the term.
Collingwood continued their domination in the final term to run away with a massive 77-point win.
It was the biggest margin in any Anzac Day contest, topping the 73 points Collingwood won by in 2008.
Pendlebury played one of the best games of his extraordinary 431-game career with an outrageous performance that won him his fourth Anzac Medal for best on ground.
The 38-year-old racked up a staggering career-high 43 disposals and 19 score involvements — the highest of any player this season — as well we kicking two goals.
Pendlebury became the most decorated player in the 31-year history of Collingwood-Essendon Anzac Day blockbusters, going clear of Essendon legend James Hird (three medals).
The six-time All-Australian previously won the Anzac Day medal in 2010, 2011 and 2019.
“It was one of those days when even if you don’t want the ball, it finds you,” he said after the match.
Pendlebury will equal Brent Harvey’s games record of 432 if he plays in Thursday night’s clash with Hawthorn, and he would break the North Melbourne champion’s all-time mark in Round 9 against Geelong.
Stand-in captain Brayden Maynard said his teammate’s efforts were “freakish”.
“He’s getting better and better,” Maynard told Channel 7.
“To see him go to work every day at 38, you sort of sit back in awe. He gets what he deserves because he works harder than anybody.”
Nick Daicos also racked up big numbers, but was wayward in front of goal with four behinds, as well as committing some uncharacteristic turnovers.
Breakout Essendon defender Archie Roberts continued his outstanding season with another 42 disposals, while Nate Caddy kicked three goals.
Despite being on the end of the crushing defeat, Roberts paid a classy tribute to Pendlebury after the match.
“I’ve got quite a good connection with Pendles. He messages me often. He’s a star of the competition and to do it at 38 years of age is unbelievable,” Roberts told Channel 7.
“I don’t want him to do it against us … great for him, but very disappointing for us. Credit where credit is due, he’s a star.”
After slamming through seven final-quarter goals to stun the Blues last week, Collingwood have recaptured their scoring ability.
This was the first time they have scored more than 100 points in a game since round 18 last year.
Collingwood booted 15 goals to six in the second-half, killing the spirit Essendon began the match with.
The Magpies had seven individual goal-kickers, Jordan De Goey leading the way with three.
It was another dark day for the Bombers, who had come off a drought-breaking win in Gather Round and another competitive showing last week against Gold Coast.
Essendon have six days off before hosting dual reigning premiers Brisbane at Marvel Stadium next Saturday.
– With AAP
