Note that as per my post above I’m not writing this in criticism of the game. I think its a good fixture. All I’m saying is that its what you do in the afternoon, after you’ve gone to the memorial or march… after you’ve had a REAL ANZAC moment of reflection.

No its not fair.

But apart from the timing of the game it is just a season fixture in a big long comp. If it provides a bit more hype and circus and marketing opportunity for the AFL, which it does damn well, then good on them. And as someone said above, better to have 2 big Melbourne clubs play this as it means tons of people will turn up and have something to do on their public holiday down there.

As long as the season ends up fair (and that is a separate problem I have with AFL fixturing) then one game doesn’t fuss me and this particular fixture has build up well as a good bit of hype for the code in the early part of the season.

Essendon and Collingwood own this day. To suggest any other teams would even come close to generating the same spirit and interest just illustrates ignorance and jealousy.

Great days are forged not made, the first game was an epic draw in front of 95,000 – James Hird champion of Essendon, Nathan Buckley champion of Collingwood – it was pure sporting magic.

Within 5 years you will probably see these blokes line up again against each other as coaches.

Redb

The day should not be about getting the biggest crowd but remembering the contributions of those who have served our country and it is a National day and supposedly a national sport so give all 16 teams the opportunity to be a part of the day.

Fremantle have always put on an excellent Anzac Day Presentation.

I was dirty on it once upon a time, but, now, it has become a tradition that is showing that it CAN outlive Sheeds, Hirdy and Bucks!!!

The fact the game is sold out 5-6 weeks in advance and people will quite likely be making their plans for next year already….well, I guess let it stay as is. Fairness doesn’t always matter.

For now the bigger question is around Melb vs Coll on QB Monday – - for a couple of reasons,

because, Coll and Ess supporters and clubs have shown the capacity to accept and cope with and make great Anzac Day irrespective of the day upon which it falls and how long/short a break they have leading into it, and in those ‘off’ years where Anzac Day is a Tues or Wed for example, it impacts the month leading into the match or leading out it as to the break between matches to keep them at a relatively even keel. (cynically, the AFL would hate for a North Melb for example to be scheduled in a year where they might have to give them an extra Friday night game to fit it all in!!).

QB Monday though, is always on the Monday – and unfortunately Melbourne has been not quite living up to the billing (although, a resurgent Melbourne at the MCG before the MCC members vs Collingwood would be pretty good)….I guess, question is, should it be Collingwood, or, QB Monday, how about Melbourne vs Sydney at the ‘G? Carlton v Richmond has Round 1 sewn up for now.

While this is too hard a scenario to do in the AFL (we don’t have a 32 team comp to start with), the precedent is there that no two teams should own a fixture!

I think the GF rematch is a great idea.

It should be at the MCG though, regardless.

It’s Slattery in the photo by the way.

This is not about altering Anzac Day, or Collingwood vs Essendon matches. This is about sharing the day with other clubs.

It’s not about ONLY Collingwood & Essendon.

The size of the crowd is extremely important to generate the emotion required to do the event (which is all about respect and remembrance) justice. Having a policy of the previous year’s grand finalists playing is flawed because one team very well may be from interstate, and the MCG will not be filled, even on ANZAC Day, during the H&A season without two Victorian teams (at least in the foreseeable future). Let alone when the weather’s not looking good (85K turned up yesterday even though storms were forecast).

To absolutely ensure the crowd size you need the powerhouse clubs playing (Ess/Carl/Coll). Letting only Carlton in will not stop enough of the criticism to justify breaking with the Ess v Coll tradition. (Especially considering that those teams, and their supporters, worked to make the event what it is.)

And if the values transcend Ess/Coll, why does it automatically follow that other teams can move in on the game? The event must be arranged to honour the values, and this article simply asserts (besides providing a 1975 crowd figure) that changing the current event won’t compromise that honour. The values are honoured every year as it is, and the respect and remembrance is unquestionable — nothing in this article suggests that a change is either required or an acceptably low risk.

For example, you could have had 2008 grand finalists Geelong & Hawthorn play the Anzac day match. Or two other top 4-6 sides expected to shine this year (with the knowledge the draw is made the year before). St.Kilda are on the rise as another example.