An Anzac Day match that offered so much optimism descended into an AFL debacle for Essendon.

All the hope and confidence offered by the past fortnight became ancient history as Scott Pendlebury led Collingwood's third-quarter rampage.

With Magpies captain Darcy Moore still injured, and so much youth in the Bombers' line-up, there was a sense that they could run Collingwood off their feet.

They were coming off the drought-breaking win over Melbourne in Gather Round and a narrow away loss to Gold Coast. After 17 straight losses, equalling the club record, there were signs of life.

But Essendon's ball use was horrible, especially when the game was on the line, and they slumped to a record Anzac Day losing margin of 77 points.

They could only manage three goals in the first half, and they were lucky Nick Daicos kicked three behinds in the second term.

Once the class of Pendlebury and Daicos shone through in the midfield, the Bombers were toast.

"It really does look like men playing against boys," coaching great Mick Malthouse said on ABC radio.

Malthouse went further, noting most of Essendon's senior players also were struggling.

The one shining light was Archie Roberts, who racked up 42 possessions off half-back in the midst of a smashing.

The signs weren't great when out-of-form key defender Ben McKay fluffed his kick early in the first quarter and Lachie Schultz pounced for Collingwood's second goal.

Still, Essendon matched Collingwood early and when Archer Day-Wicks took an outstanding mark and kicked his second goal, the Bombers were only nine points down at the first break.

One goal apiece in the second term - Collingwood sprayed 1.6 - meant Essendon were still in it at the long break.

And Nate Caddy's excellent snapped goal early in the third quarter brought the margin back to nine points.

Three minutes later, Pendlebury pounced on yet another Essendon turnover and his sublime running goal was the dam wall springing a leak.

Another six goals to one for the rest of the term and the leak was a full-blown flood.

Essendon will host reigning premiers Brisbane next Saturday at Marvel Stadium.

The Bombers have a big seven days ahead.