Top 10 - Demons vs. Magpies Clashes | Thebigtip

Since 1999, Melbourne and Collingwood have played an annual fixture on the Queen's Birthday holiday with the exception of 2000 when the season had started earlier for the Olympic Games. (Richmond and Footscray took their spot). Since 2001, the game has been stand alone and boy, have we had some thrillers. There have been some forgettable moments but some that will live on forever.

Here are the top 10 Queen's Birthday and Melbourne vs. Collingwood matches, leading up to what could be another classic on Monday.

10. 14/6/1999: Melbourne 13.11 (89) def. Collingwood 11.12 (78)
This was not a very pretty game, yet this was the very first Queen's Birthday game for these two teams in the modern era. Anyway, Tyson Lane was the best player on the ground in a losing side with 27 touches and four goals in what was his 28th game of footy. Saverio Rocca had also kicked four goals but the Pies did not have enough goalscoring options. Shane Woewodin gave a glimpse of his Brownlow form the following season, gathering 20 possessions and the three Brownlow votes.

9. 11/6/1999: Collingwood 19.20 (134) def. Melbourne 8.9 (57)
Another quite ugly match, particularly for Melbourne fans, but for one moment: Chris Tarrant's huge mark. He was holding the keys to the car and would have won but for Gary Moorcroft's unbelievable leap a few weeks after. Anthony Rocca had 21 touches and kicked 4.4 as he won the three Brownlow votes.

8. 14/6/2004: Melbourne 12.10 (82) def. Collingwood 11.7 (73)
This game was quite inspirational for Melbourne. Shortly before half-time, with Collingwood dominating and well on their way to their fourth straight Queen's Birthday victory, it was a Nathan Buckley shirt front on Nathan Brown on the Great Southern Stand side which proved the pivotal moment. Although Brown had a pretty average game, his leadership and bravery typified the rivalry these two sides shared, and after leading the team off at half time, Melbourne turned around a 16-point three quarter time deficit to record a nine point victory.

7. 8/6/2009: Collingwood 19.12 (126) def. Melbourne 8.12 (60)
It wasn't pretty, but for the hype, this game rates a mention. It was Jack Watts' first game, the most hyped number 1 draft pick for a few years and he was unleashed against the Pies. However, a seven goal to nothing first quarter blew the game right open, and buoyed by Brad Dick's five goals, the Pies romped to an easy win.

6. 9/6/2008: Collingwood 17.14 (116) def. Melbourne 13.17 (95)
This game was not expected to be close. Andrew Demetriou had earlier called on 60,000 to attend otherwise the game would be ripped from Melbourne's grasp, and although the target was not reached, a very close game ensured. Last placed Melbourne took it up to the high flying Magpies but just ran out of legs. Scott Burns put in a wonderful individual performance, winning 36 disposals and the three Brownlow votes.

5. 12/6/2006: Melbourne 22.9 (141) def. Collingwood 14.10 (94)
With both teams hanging around the top four, this was a major game for the outlook of the 2006 finals series, and it was one that Melbourne rose to the occasion for. The Pies, without Buckley firing, were no match for the Dees, and Cameron Bruce was BOG with 28 possessions and a couple of goals.

4. 11/6/2007: Melbourne 13.16 (94) def. Collingwood 11.15 (81)
There are some games you just never forget. This was one of my personal favorites, but there are three games that just rose above this. After winning their first game of the season the previous week against the Crows, few still gave the Dees a hope against the Magpies, yet the Demons fired out of the blocks with a 6.6 opening term. After fighting off a Collingwood comeback, Melbourne won a memorable encounter by 13-points. Russell Robertson starred with 7.3 and the three Brownlow votes.

3. 10/6/2000: Melbourne 22.11 (143) def. Collingwood 12.6 (78)
It was not a Queen's Birthday match up but a classic nonetheless. Jeff Farmer was goalless at half time; he finished with nine. Singlehandedly, he had revived Melbourne's stuttering 2000 season, which had seen them lose by 98-points the week before to Carlton. It was Adem Yze though who won the three Brownlow votes with 35 possessions. Amongst the many highlights in that second half were genious goals and marks from the Wizard.

2. 3/4/2010: Collingwood 12.14 (86) def. Melbourne 12.13 (85)
This was nowhere near Queen's Birthday, but warrants its place in the countdown just for the fantastic game that was produced. It was close all day and Melbourne threatened one of the great upsets in history after losing by a big margin to the Hawks the previous week when leading by 11-points midway through the last quarter. However, two late goals, and a botched attempt at a last gasp mark to Ricky Petterd, meant the Magpies escaped with a one-point victory.

1. 14/6/2010: Melbourne 11.10 (76) drew with Collingwood 9.22 (76)
The greatest Queen's Birthday game, the greatest game I've personally been to and a classic all in one. Collingwood dominated this game in every facet against the Dees except the scoreboard, yet the draw, given the contest, was a relatively fair result. Melbourne came out after three intense weeks of scrutiny to hand in against Collingwoood, who spasmodically kicked 1.9 in the third term. Brent Moloney put in a game for the ages with 38 disposals, yet did not warrant a single Brownlow vote, matched by Swan, who had two of them. Brad Dick again showed his liking for the Demons, kicking four. The result was hollow for all involved at the game; I should know, I was there.


Melbourne and Collingwood have put in some wonderful games over the years. Can Melbourne put in another shock result and beat the Magpies on Monday? Or will Collingwood, minus Swan, Beams, Jolly and Thomas, show their power? Everything points to yet another classic.