It’s ANZAC Day and that means the eyes of the football world will turn towards a packed MCG for the biggest game on the AFL calendar outside the grand final to watch Collingwood play Essendon.
The brainchild of Kevin Sheedy, the first game of this modern tradition was played in 1995. Since then it has been a mainstay of ANZAC Day and has seen some intense football played and rivalries born.
The most memorable game for me was the 2009 game, as 85,000 people watched The Bombers get up by five points.
After losing David Hille early on things looked tough for the men from Windy Hill. Then Paddy Ryder stepped into the breach and ended up having a break-out game, winning the ANZAC medal.
The game was capped by a goal from David Zaharakis with the last kick on the rain-soaked turf of The MCG. It was AFL at its romantic best.
The match doesn’t come without discussion and the main subject raised at this time of year is the sharing around of the traditional game.
I’m a big fan of tradition as you are probably aware if you’ve read my article on the Port Adelaide wearing prison bars debate.
I don’t think the annual fixture between Essendon and Collingwood at the MCG should change. It is a tradition that will only build over time.
However I do think there are other options to build on the foundations laid by Kevin Sheedy, the Magpies and the Bombers.
The RSL receive a large proportion of the gate receipts for the game, and rightly so, but there is an opportunity being missed here.
Australia is blessed and hamstrung by the sheer size of the country. It makes travelling to see away games an expensive business. On the other hand, it gives the AFL eight captive markets on ANZAC day.
Now that the league has expanded it allows for a match to be played in each of the states and territories to honour the fallen Diggers.
The following intra-state derbies could be played: Brisbane versus Gold Coast, West Coast versus Freemantle, Sydney versus GWS, and Adelaide versus Port Adelaide.
The SANFL already has an ANZAC fixture, with the previous year’s grand finalists playing against each other, a perfect double header in the making. This leaves The Northern Territory, ACT and Tasmania.
Melbourne and the Bulldogs have roots in Darwin, having played home games there, and North Melbourne and Hawthorn both have a strong following in Tasmania.
This leaves Canberra and four teams in Geelong, St Kilda, Carlton and Richmond.
The Blues and Tigers rivalry means an extra game could be played in Melbourne and Geelong and St Kilda could start a tradition in the nation’s capital.
The TV rights and income that provides the AFL is a point of contention and to dilute that audience would be imprudent, however, if the non-MCG games were to be televised subject to blackout (meaning the game has to be a ticket sell-out before broadcasting) and played earlier in the day, this would allow a twilight game at the MCG, ensuring a TV audience and advertising revenue.
The roots are there, the appetite for football on ANZAC day is large and the tradition can blossom.
The receipts from one game attended by 100,000 people is great, however there is an option to play more than one game on the day.
Gate receipts from games played in seven other states would only swell the amount of donations a worthwhile charity receives.
Innocent Bystander
Guest
Bit windy today, but the golf links is where I will be totally ignoring this hijacking of a solemn day.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Stratton
Guest
I thought that was you in the photo Sheedy, although you let yourself go a bit when it was taken. Why the mds? Mr D Sheedy??
Cugel
Roar Rookie
That's right, in 1927 the NSWRFL went through a time machine and brought back the idea. Sneaky.
mds1970
Roar Guru
There were games played on ANZAC Day before 1995. But with over 90,000 in the ground that day, and such an amazing game, the fixture was locked in - and will continue to be as long as the game draws a massive crowd. I was there that day in 1995. The Bombers looked likely to win for most of the day, but with Saverio Rocca putting in goals at key moments, they were never able to shake off Collingwood. And the Magpies rallied late to snatch a draw. There's been some blowouts, and some classic games. David Zaharakis's last-minute winner was definately a highlight. And ANZAC Day 2011 at the MCG was my last game in Essendon colours before my defection to GWS. (http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/04/26/the-last-post-the-last-bomber-mission-or-my-life-as-a-turncoat/) And the ANZAC commemmorations are important. For those who don't attend dawn services or marches, it gives an opportunity for them to pay their respects to those who have fought for our country. Lest we forget.
Norm
Guest
Essendon v Carlton in 1980? We are talking about the MCG game, started in 1995. They needed Collingwood to make it what it is now. Bruce Ruxton was a C/wood man.
Dave Webb
Roar Pro
First game of the Kevin Sheedy version of the Anzac Day game. I say that in the article.
Innocent Bystander
Guest
Excuse me, "the first game back in 1995". Were you blokes born yesterday? The ANZAC day match was around for decades. I went in the early 1980s to see Essendon play Carlton at VFL Park in front of 70k in a real tough encounter when players were allowed to fight. Even then it was common knowledge that Anzac day matches were going for decades and decades. The first one was probably 1919.
GaryGnu
Guest
There is nothing wrong with professional sport being played on ANZAC day (or on Good Friday - hint hint Andy D). It certainly treats the day with more respect than the behaviour in various drinking establishments around town by some who have never been anywhere near the business end of a battle theatre. What bothers me is the creeping trend to equate sporting efforts with martial endeavours on this day. It is unseemly and places far more importance on sporting contests than are due. A leading practitioner of this trend is one P Fitzsimons in his writing. Honourable mention goes to M Malthouse who felt the need to say that his side let the ANZACS down after a particularly flat performance by his team in an April 25 game. It is also a comparison that some of the more hyperbolic commentators cannot resist making.
Floreat Pica
Guest
For the best outcome for both the RSL and Australian football I'd suggest that the best case scenario is that each state has a traditional rivals clash from the state leagues, as does the SANFL- thus the AFL can concentrate on showcasing the traditional MCG clash (and perhaps the NZ game), while each of the state leagues benefits along with their local communities. This would reinforce the status quo across all football codes, where there would still be space for League to have their Storm vs Warriors clash, soccer could tee up an international with Turkey and perhaps Rugby Union could look to an international between Australia and the Old Country (I'd love to see any of the internationals first hand- and given the unlikelihood of them being able to create an annual clash, perhaps a rotational basis would allow all to benefit the most). While I'm sympathetic that to some this would be too much sport impinging on what is meant to be a day of reflection, the attitude of my local RSL chief in his address this morning was that 'being both a day of 'holy reflection' on the service of others and a 'holiday' to celebrate our freedoms, our traditional sporting pastimes contribute to the significance of ANZAC Day by symbolising all that those who gave their lives did so to defend.' If a large portion of the proceeds go towards those who served and preserving their memory, and our codes remain as respectful- as I believe they are- in their approach we should simply carry on.
Norm
Guest
Dave...I continue to enjoy your articles. This time it is nice to read an article about the Anzac day game written by someone who has experienced it & who likes our Australian game. It is noteworthy that since the first game back in 1995 the NRL has seen fit to copy it - proving that imitation is the sincerest from of flattery! I sincerely hope we will not see a barrage of anti-AFL lists now.