As a history teacher it has been wonderful to see the increasing reverence and popularity of Anzac Day in recent decades. The day has become inexorably linked to sport, something once vehemently opposed by the RSL.
I spent Anzac Day morning at local services, paying my own small tribute to family members and friends who have served. The afternoon was spent on the couch where, with the aid of some channel surfing and recording, I took in the AFL, NRL and Super Rugby’s pre-game commemorations.
How did they fare?
Firstly, let’s take a look at the AFL’s showpiece match.
About 92,000 gathered for the Essendon versus Collingwood match. The ground announcer asked everyone to stand and remove their hats – well done. The simplicity of a single drummer and drill sergeant giving commands brought the stadium to appropriate silence.
So much so, that during the minute’s silence you could hear the flag flapping in the breeze.
The addition of the New Zealand national anthem was a good idea, but seemed like an afterthought. It was performed without music and the opening verse was in Maori.
The crowd and players remained silent, standing in position until given the all clear.
The AFL have been holding an Anzac match since 1995 and it showed in their professionalism. The commentators thankfully avoided glib comparisons between sport and war. On a day when we remember the 102,000 Australians who have died in wars, it must be remembered that the two teams are playing a game; not going into battle.
Brilliant work from the AFL and Melbournians – 9.5 out of 10.
Two Super Rugby matches were held, both trans-Tasman affairs. One was in Auckland, the other in Canberra.
A half-full Eden Park looked poor in comparison to a packed MCG. The entire Auckland commemorations took place without crowd announcements. The woman reading the ode, who may or may not have had military connections, seemed awkward and said “we well remember them” twice.
Straight after The Last Post the crowd burst into applause and the minute’s “silence” lasted about 10 seconds. Appalling. Anzac commemorations should never be referred to as a celebration and applause is inappropriate -it’s a service of remembrance, similar to a funeral.
SANZAR had disallowed national anthems because the teams were not representing nations, like a test match. However Anzac is a truly national day in Australia and New Zealand. The lack of anthems made the Auckland (and later Canberra service) seem short and free of any national pride.
The Canberra commemorations had Victoria Cross recipient Mark Donaldson reading the ode. The crowd were thankfully silent and the three service caps atop rifles was symbolic of loss of life. Once again the use of a single drummer was spot on.
Overall, the rugby scored 5 out of 10.
The NRL have come late to the Anzac Day match. A big crowd yes, but the empty sections did stand out (again in the almost impossible comparison to the AFL). A marching band, flags everywhere, VB logos on the ground, cadets, a stage, dignitaries – dancing girls anyone?
The AFL have shown that simplicity is the order of the day. Next year NRL, have a hats off and phones away announcement, please.
The inclusion of war veterans in jeeps was a good idea, but do they have to have club connections? The highlight of the entire day was the appearance of two Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, from the Kokoda Track (not ‘trail’). Brilliant idea. The commentators could not help themselves with war analogies, often cringe worthy.
The New Zealand part of Anzac stands for New Zealand and, with 10 players of Kiwi heritage on the field , “God Defend New Zealand” should have been performed. The half-wits yelling out after The Last Post should be ashamed of themselves, as well as being removed from the ground. I hope the stains on the St George jumpers were not an attempt at camouflage.
Sport and war comparisons are always condescending to veterans, especially on Anzac Day. A 6.5 for the NRL.
Unlike the bogan booze up that Australia Day has become, Anzac Day sits with the Melbourne Cup as one of our two truly national days. Sporting codes have the right to cash in on a public holiday.
They also have a duty to put on an appropriate, reverent and serious commemoration for our armed services.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Well pointed out Tad. VC's don't grow on trees that's for sure. I wonder whether he was related to Allan 'Baron' Ruthven of Fitzroy fame.
Floreat Pica
Guest
I was wondering about that accent too Jack..
Floreat Pica
Guest
The author is correct. This is not the first time I have heard it from the second tier. The flag and rope hitting the pole are clearly audible.
fiver
Guest
The AFL should win a prize or something for winning ANZAC day. how unfair
fiver
Guest
You're a joke. Are we not allowed to celebrate ANZAC day unless it's at an AFL ground?
Matt Horne
Roar Rookie
Wallaby & Sandy B claim I have an AFL bias. No. I'm a rugby man through & through. For the on field action I watched all of the Waratah's debacle then 90% of the Brumbies win, about 20 mins of the AFL & none of the league. I thought he AFL's service was superb, but felt let down by the rugby, esp in Auckland.
Rek
Guest
Not really, both use the tech. But in terms of revenue raising, it's likely the least distracting method of advertising. Much better then pop up ads on the screen , commentator cross promotions or cutting away to ads. Under the players feet means it's not blocking my view of the action.
wallaby
Guest
Your blind favouritism toward afl was unsurprising . as an attendee I would have loved your rose tinted view of it. Llfrom your couch having been there it was less noble
Shmick
Guest
Correct. They had to arrive in the dark & unfortunately overshot the intended landing beach and inadvertently became sitting ducks.
Richard
Roar Guru
I take it you mean that the average Collingwood fan has to repeat Year 5 at Abbotsford Primary twice? My response: When you're on a good thing......!! Anyway, I can tell you the best three years of this Collingwood fans life. 1958, 1990, 2010!
Richard
Roar Guru
Actually I believe they did land at the wrong beach. They were landing in the dark, would you believe the only maps they had were old tourist maps, the military intelligence they had was very scant. When dawn broke, they realised they were in the wrong place, but by that time they were committed. It was the beginning of a campaign which exposed the inherent weakness of the British military establishment. The whole War reflected generations of Class in-breeding, where military responsibility was based on birthright, not merit. The carnage which followed was totally avoidable. You'd be entitled to ask then why it wasn't avoided.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Didn't Australia and NZ fight on the same side, or have I missed something?
Tad
Roar Rookie
Yoiu really should be quite capable of finding it yourself, but i guess you are far to busy looking for other things !!. "Australia and New Zealand could become allied forces in Anzac XV to tame Lions in Brisbane" http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/rugby/australia-and-new-zealand-could-become-allied-forces-in-anzac-xv-to-tame-lions-in-brisbane/story-fnii0mk9-1226878204064 I suggest in future, before you are willing to slag off the game you constantly refer to as fumbleball, you look in your own backyard first.
Tad
Roar Rookie
Yes fair enough, you obviously were not educted at Abbotsford primary Richard ?, we all know the best 3 years of a Collingwood fan's life was year 5 at Abbotsford primary. :) I do accept though that Nation defining moments need to be wrapped up in the flag, or magnified to actually engage people.
Boomshanka
Guest
Link please
Richard
Roar Guru
Don't disagree, but I've heard the same thing about movies. When they misrepresent history, it's because movies are about entertainment, not about reality (hence that miserable film starring Mel Gibson about the American Revolution). There is a problem if you perpetuate myths - ultimately the myth becomes the 'reality'. I'm all for commemorating the reality of what happened, as opposed to celebrating the myth. My point is that I would have expected a history teacher to have been more interested in educating people about the war, than about celebrating the myth. By the way, an excellent duo of books on the reality of the Great War: Les Carlyon's 'Gallipoli', and his voluminous 'The Great War'. I recommend them as fascinating historical accounts of what actually happened, from the Australian point of view.
Tad
Roar Rookie
Nowhere near as cringeworthy as the way you are attempting to portray it. This is how a rugby game was described ...... "Anzacs too good for British & Irish XV in Classic Rugby match" Gee those ANZACS are doing well for their age !!. Next year a combined Aus and NZ team want to call themselves the ANZAC 15. Honestly do you believe that !!. Are any of them actually in the forces !!
Boomshanka
Guest
Or on print media (taken from stuff link above). The article starts with.............. "Age shall not weary Nick Riewoldt and Jonathan Brown. The star forwards are both on the wrong side of 30 but their sustained excellence has ensured they remain centre of attention ahead of tonight's second Anzac Day AFL game at Westpac Stadium."
Boomshanka
Guest
Or perhaps something a little more virtual? http://www.pond5.com/sound-effects/1/flag-flapping.html#1
Tad
Roar Rookie
@ Richard WE are talking about sports fans, it is not a collective for historians to weigh up the pros and cons of the Australian culture and consciousness pre and post WW1 and 2. There is a simple message, and that is .... war, what is it good for !! , and the other one is to acknowledge peoples efforts in and around it.