AFL 2023 Anzac Day game LIVE updates: Draper goals first, Daicos ...

2023 ANZAC Day pre-match schedule:

12:30pm: MCC gates open

1.00pm: Public gates open

1:45pm: Australian Army Band to perform

2.24pm: Riderless horse enters the arena

2:25pm: Motorcade of veterans

2.35pm: Pre-match performance

2.52pm: Umpires enter arena and match-day ball presentation

2:54pm: Essendon enters arena

2:57pm: Collingwood enters arena

2:59pm: Joint banner run through

3.00pm: Roulettes flyover

3.07pm: Anzac Day official observance ceremony

3.18pm: Coin toss

3.20pm: Match commences

Ash Johnson was caught up in some pushing and shoving at quarter time but he responded in the best way with a goal just moments into the second term.

Johnson marked in the left pocket and booted the goal.

Dons 21, Pies 16 with 16 mins to go in Q2.

Jordan De Goey has goaled right on the siren but Essendon has the lead going into the first break.

Tempers have flared after the siren with Ash Johnson grappling with a couple of Essendon players including Jayden Laverde - it wasn’t clear if one of them was reported or whether the umpire was telling them not to get reported.

We have a cracking second term to come.

Bombers forward Sam Weideman has pulled in a pack mark by working his way to the front spot and he has converted his kick for goal to extend his side’s lead.

Collingwood’s lack of height continues to hurt them.

Nic Martin has snapped a goal soon after. Danger signs for Collingwood.

Dons 20, Pies 2 with three mins to go in Q1.

Essendon ruckman Sam Draper has kicked the first goal in an ominous sign for the Magpies.

Draper was given a quick kick deep into the forward line and pulled in enough of a mark for the ball to be awarded to him.

Collingwood are missing several of their big men so Draper has the chance to run amok today.

Bombers 7, Pies 1 with 13 mins to go in Q1.

Nick Daicos has missed his first running shot at goal as both sides have thrown themselves into the action from the bounce.

Collingwood are in their black and white top with black shorts and socks while Essendon have their main top and white shorts with their red and black striped socks.

Pies 1, Dons 0 with 18 mins to go in Q1.

The ANZAC Day ceremony has just concluded.

The likely record-setting crowd fell silent, stood, and removed their hats to observe the minute-silence in recognition of those fallen. The Last Post, New Zealand and Australian anthem were also performed.

With that, the match begins.

The Anzac Day commemoration continues with a rendition of Redgum’s I Was Only 19 from Augie March, the band leading today’s pre-match entertainment.

As our senior culture journalist, Kerrie O’Brien, wrote earlier today:

I Was Only 19 is one of the most of Australia’s most significant songs about war, documenting the anguish, the horror, and its haunting aftermath.

It also underlines the absurdity of fate: “Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon/God help me, he was going home in June.”

Augie March coupled the rendition of the 1983 song with a performance of their most successful single, One Crowded Hour.

No late changes. Collingwood has Will Kelly as their sub, Ben Hobbs fills that role for the Bombers.