Others want share of AFL Anzac Day spoils

It is fairly clear that following the Vietnam War there was a decline in interest in Anzac Day. In fact, many people decried it as glamourising death and killing. I grew up in a family of service people and had great trouble with this perception and debated it considerably as a teenager. While some will criticise the fact Collingwood and Essendon have taken on this day, it could be argued that this match has played a part in rehabilitating the image of Anzac Day. I'm not saying these clubs have completely been responsible for this, as there are other factors. But it has certainly played a part. When I was growing up, no one talked about Anzac Day matches or set aside time to watch, unless their team was playing. It is an entirely different matter nowadays. While the annual debate of the merits of the current match-up and others playing on this day are worthwhile, I hope the current set up continues. However, if it was to change.... How about there be two games played on Anzac Day each year, one at the MCG, the other hosted by an interstate team. The Melbourne match would feature the top two Victorian sides from the previous year? The other match would feature the top two Interstate teams from the previous year, with the team finishing highest earning the rights to host. But...would either of those matches regularly be as big an occasion as the current situation?

Good heavens man!!! Picnic Days, and a Football, go hand in hand in a pick up game at a picnic ground... Do you have trouble comprehending what I write comrade? (I've noticed you have recently moved to Perth, could that be the reason)? I said; I shall be cooking the snags; let the kids play without those TV executives making millions of dollars out of them on ANZAC day.

We got the same issue in league. The Dragons and Roosters have been playing the ANZAC Day game between themselves for a few years now, admittley not as long AFL. The same agrument that Melbourne clubs outside of Essendon and Collingwood are making are being made up here. Myself, I think these games should stay as they are. These teams have built up these traditions and often scarificed games either prior or after the ANZAC Day clash due to a short turn around especially if ANZAC Day is a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. These are the clubs that were willing to take a punt on ANZAC Day when most Australians may have felt it was wrong or Un-Australian to play on ANZAC Day. Now that it is a success everybody wants a piece. These clubs should be rewarded for making this a success not punished. I would say though that I wouldn't begrudge an interstate team in either code, only one though, hosting their own ANZAC Day fixture if it was the same clubs every year. That and it wasn't played at the same time as the original ANZAC fixtures eg West Coast vs Adelaide in the AFL or Melbourne Storm vs NZ Warriors in the NRL like they have this year. Anymore ANZAC Day games will drain too many games away from the weekend leaving only a few left to play.

the problem with changing it is how do you decide who gets it? i have my doubts that an anzac match between the demons and kangas will attract anything near 95+k. also when we say share it around do we include the interstate teams or is it just for the victorian clubs? don't like the idea of the grand final replay being the new anzac match as it's a big enough match in it's own right. also what if it was a freo/port grand final? it won''t draw at the mcg but moving it to perth/adelaide will sacrifice a 90k crowd you could get in melbourne between victorian clubs

I agree, because it is played in a different city and therefore cannot impact on the game in Melbourne. If they start playing more than one game in Melbourne on Anzac Day I am reasonably sure it will affect the Essendon/Collingwood attendance figures.

Guy, I'm curious. When you say the "Anzac Day blockbuster built by Essendon and Collingwood", what exactly do you mean by "built"?

We have now introduced a second game played of an evening outside of Melbourne, and I I think that's a pretty good compromise.

Of course other teams want a piece of the action because it has now become one of the biggest games of the year. However whether it remained as big if changed to other combatants remains to be seen. I believe, as others have stated, that to change it to the previous years' Grand Final replay would be a mistake as that is already a big event in its own right. That leaves what other game that could compete with the current one? So, to change it would mean risking the status of the game and I don't think the AFL wish to kill a goose laying golden eggs.

So you think that ANZAC day has been "decreed" as a picnic day with the family, but not a day for football ?, your strange reasoning raise a pretty important question, will you be taking away footballs from kids in the park today ?, or is it OK for others to do what they want on ANZAC day.

No ANZAC Day has been decreed as a holiday----a picnic day with the family----so I won't be watching football or kicking a football around, I'll be cooking the snags for the family.

Surely we should ban picnics as well on this day of days , "after all ANZAC day should be solely about the ANZACS and not football" (your words i believe) .............. , i sincerly hope you will not be kicking a soccer ball around at that park, that would be in breach of your beliefs !!. You really should be sitting in sombre silence and relection for the day!.

It's not so much what others want, it's what is shoved down their throats in the Northern States by TV executives on ANZAC DAY. Where clearly Rugbies rule with the pundits. Not that I would be watching, as I believe it's all unnecessary on ANZAC Day.. I shall be out on a picnic day with my family.

You just confirmed precisely what I was thinking when I read the title of this article. "Others want" can just as easily apply to other football codes.

can not see this one working l

Yes good idea----how about a Wallabies vs All Blacks match at the G..?

Does anyone know what the attendances were at those past ANZAC Day games where neither Collingwood nor Essendon were involved?