Anzac Day clashes respect fallen heroes

fair enough, im one of those young people though, so i suppose i don't know of a time when it was celebrated differently, i still think however, even with howard being a staunch monarchist people m age percieve it as an independence ceremony of such, or remembering what kitchener did to us as a pom, and im from howards electorate (please forgive us).

Yes, it has been around for alot longer than Howard but I think it was 'celebrated' in a different way in the past - just like Australia Day was celebrated differently in the past. It can't be denied that Aust Day celebrations and, to some extent, Anzac Day overseas celebrations, have sometimes become a little ugly in the last 15 years... (i.e. excessive drinking, demanding people 'kiss the flag or piss off' etc...) It's certainly true that ANZAC day really became popular (again or for the first time?) in the Howard era (i.e. many young people attending the gallipoli services etc). If it is about Aust realising it is independant, it's ironic considering that Howard himself was a staunch monarchist and the republican referendum was defeated... Aust is still confused about what it actually is/represents and I think this won't be resolved until the monarchy comes up for a serious national discussion again... Thus, I would prefer Anzac day to just be a quiet day of reflection and a few drinks and some 2up, not some huge event, which is what happens with the last post being played all over the long weekend and players wearing black armbands etc

I don't think you quite understnad the biggest point of anzac day and its difference with remembrance day, and its been around for alot longer than howard. Anzac day isn't just to remember those anzacs, but a day in which australia finally realised it was australia, and not just another colony

What is all this stuff? Didn't the Howard era glorification of ANZAC Day and militarism finish on election day in 2007? Anzac day is what it is: a day to remember the futility of war. That is all

I must say the Turks are remarkably tolerant, aren't they. I mean the truth is that back then, 1915 I mean, our guys were actually invading Turkey on behalf of the British Empire. I wonder if the boot had been on the other foot, and the Turks had invaded us, we'd be inviting them over here for a game to honour their sacrifice. Good on 'em I say. Maybe we should invite the Japanese over for a rematch in Darwin?

If the boys make the same mistake as last year and let Zaharakis repeat the performance, it will be more than just Stephen Milne hurling abuse at the coach, mark my words. On the other hand, I've heard that "he who laughs last laughs loudest".

Round 5 tips: Bulldogs over Crows Swans over WCE - should be a cracker Bris Lions too good for Melb - good game. St Kilda - easily over Port Essendon - Zaharakis!!! Hawks too good for North Freo easily over the Tiges Cats to obliterate the cheating scum at Carlton. Go Dons!

Don't forget the Australia v Turkey Friendship Cup football game at Gallipoli on Sunday to commemorate the diggers efforts as well.

Football was the most played sport on the battlefields during breaks in the hostilities.

EP - the playing or nt on battle fields or training camps to me is least relevant. That's why this article links to the poignant multi-media slide show on the Herald-Sun with no fanfare but just remembering each of the 62 VFL players who died on the Western Front, Rugby, soccer, cricket.......not saying there weren't fallen from those sports too.......'tis not for the AFL to remember, and this isn't the work of the AFL at any rate...........but, one thing the AFL could be accused of is remembering too much only the fallen VFL players ........ I've not seen anything about fallen from other state leagues. So - whilst I'll defend to the death the right of the AFL to remember the vast number of VFL fallen.......it ought also be remembering the WAFL and SANFL lads at least as well, and any from QAFL and Sydney and Tassie top leagues if any. one thing that happens every time though - there'll be an article about Ron Barassi (his dad, Ron Barassi Snr) was KIA in WWII and young Ron ended up effectively a child of the MFC and so to become a legend of the club in his one right was a pretty neat footy story.

As there is with the Rugby codes. Several articles in the DT today about it. Remember there were a lot of NSW/Qlders in the war too. On topic, I really hate the way both codes try to milk ANZAC day. Its very poor taste. Like that Mc Donalds ad from a few years ago. In the past, I think AFL has been worse at it, but having seen an NRL ad for it and the garbage they are spewing now I think they are equally bad. Its okay to play sport on ANZAC day, its part of the light hearted entertainment for the day just like two-up, but lets treat it like what it is... a game of football (of one sort or another). And whatever tenuous links the sports have to the war (being played on battlefields and what not), it is most certainly not what serving your country overseas is about, or the sacrifices ANZAC Day is about. People also watch movies and play cards in their down time in warzones. Lets keep it in perspective.

It really is hairs on the back of your neck stuff. The roar at the MCG is great at the best of the times but this is something else.

They say the roar at the end of the National Anthem on Grand Final Day is a powerful and uplifting moment but having been to five Anzac Day clashes including the first, I can tell you that being among a crowd 90,000 in absolute silence with only the sound of the flags flapping in the wind is simply awe inspiring. If kids have to ask why we do it, it's a perfect time to give the next generation a history lesson.

I wish I could write this well and articulate my thoughts on this game and day as this Essendon poster has done from out there in cyberspace. It's worth reproducing as a one-off. "Originally Posted by Lance Uppercut so... here we are, then. Four rounds into season 2010, & already we are being tested keenly. The media vultures are circling, fear & loathing is insidiously seeping through the supporter base, the coach is under siege. Season 2010 has barely begun, yet we are at crossroads. 4 games. 3 losses for only 1 win. 2 very bad losses. Our travel demons are alive & well. Our form is streaky, our confidence shaken, our game-plan derided from all angles. Make no mistake. These are dire times. Yet only in fire is steel forged. Only under immense pressure do you produce diamonds. Yes we are a a crossroads, but our destiny is firmly in our hands. For the rest of the season, Essendon has the opportunity, & indeed the obligation, to fight. To fight, & win. Every once & again, ever so rarely, an event crosses cultural boundaries; that fuses disparate strands, of nationhood, of community, and tribal bonds that underpin everything we stand for. Anzac Day football is that event. Let's not for a moment suggest that football is in any way equivalent to war - it's not. It's not even really a suitable metaphor, as it glorifies the horror of war, & the hardships that were endured by so many & survived by so few. It would be trite, & demeaning the sacrifices made. But it is a symbol. It's a symbol of freedom, & of modern Australia. It's a recognition of the roots that bind, & a celebration of that which makes us one. We are fortunate indeed, to take part in what can only be described as a the shining jewel in the AFL Home & Away season. Fortunate that we have been led by such visionaries as Kevin Sheedy, & partnered by our Collingwood friends, & supported by the AFL. It's the biggest day outside of the finals, & we must always remember how privileged we are to take part. Now, in our darkest hour, we have the biggest stage of all; the grandest & most significant opportunity to show what we are made of. Throw the form book out the window, It's Anzac Day!!! "