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
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
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 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.
Pendlebury played one of the best games of his extraordinary 431-game career with an outrageous performances.
The 38-year-old racked up a staggering 43 disposals and 19 score involvements — the highest of any player this season — as well we kicking two goals.
“It was one of those days when even if you don’t want the ball, it finds you,” he said after the match.
Nick Daicos also racked up big numbers, but was wayward in front of goal with four behinds, as well as committing some uncharacteristic turnovers.
More to come …
