The Roar
The Roar

AFL
Advertisement

Do Essendon deserve their place in the Anzac Day clash?

18th March, 2016
Advertisement
The ANZAC Day clash is always a spectacle. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
Roar Pro
18th March, 2016
30
1244 Reads

Last week commentator Dennis Commetti wrote in the West Australian that Essendon did not deserve to play in the now traditional Anzac Day match against Collingwood.

Of course the Essendon Football Club came back out firing – first Kevin Sheedy suggesting Commetti had left his retirement a season too late, and then on Friday, fill-in skipper Brendon Goddard saying on the club’s website that the comments were inappropriate and unfair.

But are they? The Anzac Day blockbuster between the Bombers and Magpies is the biggest game of the season outside of finals. For it to feature a team filled with players who for all intents and purposes should be either retired or playing football at a lower level seems almost disrespectful to what the day itself represents.

Also, given the actions by the club that led to this situation they now find themselves in are hardly representative of what the Anzac spirit is all about, it is not surprising that the question of whether they should feature in the game has been raised.

My initial reaction – and one without much thought – was that of Commetti’s. Given the circumstances, the Bombers do not deserve to feature in the showcase game of the home-and-away season.

Not only did the club act in a way totally contrary to what Anzac Day represents, but who wants to see what will more than likely be a belting of epic proportions in the biggest home-and-away game of the year?

However after giving the matter more thought, I believe the Bombers do deserve to play in the Anzac Day clash against Collingwood – and one of the reasons why is in total contradiction to one of my initial objections.

Why do we celebrate Anzac Day? What makes what our soldiers did at Gallipoli Cove so special and why has it become so intrinsic to our national consciousness?

Advertisement

Because a bunch of blokes kept fighting against almost impossible odds that were placed upon them by their leaders.

Sound familiar?

Yes, the Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon could be a blow out. But what better way to celebrate a day based upon fighting the impossible fight than a group of youngsters, has-beens and those not quite good enough to cut it, taking on a side some tip to be creating a dynasty.

What if they somehow got up? Stranger things have happened in our great game over the years, and what a story it would be. Not only can you imagine the headlines the following day, but also the euphoria of long suffering Bombers supporters. It would certainly be something to behold.

And that is something else for those who believe Essendon do not deserve to feature in this game to consider – the supporters. Some have behaved like right-wing conservatives who refuse to acknowledge any evidence that challenges their outdated beliefs and blindingly believing in the messiah James Hird, but most just love their footy club and want to put this whole saga behind them.

These supporters have done nothing wrong, and one of the few things they have to look forward to in what shapes as an extremely disappointing season is the big Anzac Day clash.

Then there is the players themselves. Those that are representing the club in 2016 cannot be judged guilty by association to the supplements scandal so have therefore done nothing wrong, yet they all share the burden that has been quite rightly placed on the club.

Advertisement

For them the Anzac Day clash will be something firstly worth looking forward to, and later – particularly for those who will never have the chance to play in another – a special day to look back on.

Do the current Essendon players and the clubs’ long suffering supporters, who have done nothing wrong, really deserve to be denied one of the few highlights in what will undoubtedly be a long and frustrating season?

It would be a harsh call to say they do.

close