I love ANZAC Day and what it stands for. I also love the way the AFL commemorates the day with a match played in front of 90,000 people.
There is no better sound than a silent MCG paying tribute to those who have fallen in battle. Essendon and Collingwood have put on a fantastic tribute over 16 years and do deserve to keep the match.
However, there is one thing that makes me cringe about the game.
When they present the ANZAC medal, it is presented for teamwork, skill, mateship, courage and self sacrifice. The last two attributes are the ones that annoy me.
How can a game of football be compared to war in terms of self sacrifice and courage? What happened in Gallipoli, Kokoda and Long Tan, was so courageous and involved so much self-sacrifice for the mission and for the country.
A game of football could not lick the boots of war in terms of courage and self sacrifice.
A person running back with the flight of the ball and taking a mark with 3 players running in to him does not compare to a soldier avoiding gun fire and grenades to rescue comrades.
Now, I want to make one point clear: I support the match and its tribute to our fallen soldiers. I also support the ANZAC Day medal.
However, when deciding the best player on the field, can we drop the criteria of courage and self sacrifice? It downgrades the actions of those who fought for us, which should be held in the highest esteem.
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