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It’s typically a moving day in front of a packed crowd at the MCG.

“They feel like the most unifying minutes we have as a country for the year,” Gerard Whateley said on AFL Nation during the moving ceremony.

Part of the pre-match ceremony includes a formation of fighter jets flying directly over the stadium, which make a huge amount of noise and can catch unsuspecting people by surprise.

Despite his knowledge of the game and the ceremony, Pendlebury was one of those people on Thursday when he was spotted on camera during the Australian National Anthem.

Pendlebury turned to fellow veteran Steele Sidebottom and seemed to utter: “I f**king s**t myself,” as the planes flew over, before gesturing to the sky.

Very few players from either team sang the Australian National Anthem, in somewhat of a surprise.

Only a very small handful of players were seen attempting to utter the words.

“AFL players, any chance they can respect the national anthem rather than chatting between themselves?” was one comment on X, formerly Twitter.

It was otherwise a respectful scene and Collingwood coach Craig McRae became caught up in the moment prior to the opening bounce.

An emotional McRae had to pause an interview on the boundary line.

“That was incredible,” he said before choking up on Channel 7 following the ceremony. “Yeah, just to be there, present, quite emotional to be honest.

“Just a privilege, you know? To be grateful to be (here) on this day. Sorry.”

Despite his pre-match faux pas, Pendlebury had the opportunity to set a remarkable milestone during the game.

In his 390th game, the veteran came into the fixture on 9,995 disposals for his career, which is already the AFL record.

That meant he would take precious time to become the first player in history to chalk up five figures for possessions.

“A goal would be nice or I might have to steal a kick out from Nick Daicos so it’s something memorable,” he said pre-match of his 10,000th touch.

“I don’t want a handball out of a stoppage.”

It didn’t quite go his way, as the milestone came via a handball coming out of the Pies’ defensive arc.

Speaking on the Collingwood website in the built-up to the game, McRae said he would be leaning on his experienced players.

“As a first-year coach last year, I was just in awe of the group’s ability to continue to turn up on the big stage,” said McRae.

“Pendles and Steele Sidebottom (have) huge experience in that. They pass those experiences down to others.

“Last year we played the minutes, not the occasion. This year, we’ll play the minutes, not the occasion.”

In 2023, Collingwood came from behind at the last change to win the Anzac clash by 13 points.

This year, the Bombers made a sensational start, kicking the first four goals and six goals to two at quarter-time.

Collingwood worked its way into the game, however, and at halftime Essendon led by a solitary point, 7.6 (48) to 6.11 (47).