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The thing that always struck me as the nagging difference between the NRL and AFL was the big-event feel the AFL had at more of its games because of its larger crowds.
That’s why I love how the NRL has built up the tradition of its annual Anzac Day game at Allianz Stadium.
The AFL has its own massive Anzac Day game on at the MCG, between Essendon and Collingwood, and that’s fine. The more big events there are across various sports, the better it is for everyone. It’s just great to see the game between St George Illawarra and Sydney Roosters has grown so much.
The NRL and AFL each have three Anzac Day games this year. That’s fine, as long as they are spread around different cities, which is the case.
No doubt the fact Anzac Day falls on a Friday this year made it possible to stage that many games. It’s obviously more difficult, logistically, to schedule a draw that gives that many teams a decent break after the previous round before playing midweek.
The NRL has neatly staggered its three games, with a 4pm kick-off for the Dragons-Roosters game, 6pm for Melbourne-Warriors at AAMI Park and 8pm for Brisbane-South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium.
All three grounds are going to be packed, but it’s also all live on TV for our viewing pleasure. You’ve got the opportunity to take part in some Anzac Day commemorations and then gorge on a triple-treat of live league late in the day. And each game has the potential to be a cracker.
But let’s concentrate on the Dragons-Roosters clash.
Last year, it drew a crowd of 40,752. Presuming it attracts a similar crowd today it will be a great follow-on from the big crowds that attended the Souths-Canterbury and Parramatta-Wests Tigers games at ANZ Stadium over the Easter holiday weekend.
It is a solemn day and the NRL and the clubs do the pre-match occasion very well, honouring the many brave men and women who served on behalf of our country in times of war.
It doesn’t bother me who wins the game. I just see the day as one of those occasions that remind us of how lucky we are to be living in this great country, and that we owe a debt of thanks to a lot of people for our quality of life.
The game is there as a spectacle to enjoy.
But it’s easy for me to say I don’t care who wins, because I don’t follow either team. I fully realise there are plenty of you out there who do, and that you’ll be pumped right up for the kick-off and rolling with the punches from that point on.
So who’s going to win?
Each team has its issues at the moment. The Dragons beat the Warriors last weekend, something they’ve done 10 times in a row now, but the week before they failed to take advantage of a big lead against the Storm and ended up losing.
Even allowing for the controversial circumstances in which that game ended, the Dragons should have put a win to bed earlier and eliminated the risk of anything out of their control taking it away from them.
The Roosters beat Cronulla last weekend, but they were never comfortable. A few big plays made enough of a difference for them. The week before, they lost narrowly to Parramatta.
The Roosters have too regularly given opponents the opportunity to stick with them this season.
I’m tipping the Roosters because I look at their team and can’t help but think that at some stage they’re going to click. They’re better than the Dragons on paper, but they has to show they’re better on the field and that has been easier said than done for them recently.
I certainly give the Dragons a chance, though. If the Roosters are still off their game and the Dragons can stay close, then anything could happen in the final 20 minutes.
Whatever happens, it’s going to be fun watching – particularly for neutrals like myself.
Enjoy your Anzac Day, everyone.
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