Of course the Essendon Football Club came back out firing – first Kevin Sheedy suggesting Commetti had left his retirement a season too late, and then on Friday, fill-in skipper Brendon Goddard saying on the club’s website that the comments were inappropriate and unfair.
But are they? The Anzac Day blockbuster between the Bombers and Magpies is the biggest game of the season outside of finals. For it to feature a team filled with players who for all intents and purposes should be either retired or playing football at a lower level seems almost disrespectful to what the day itself represents.
Also, given the actions by the club that led to this situation they now find themselves in are hardly representative of what the Anzac spirit is all about, it is not surprising that the question of whether they should feature in the game has been raised.
My initial reaction – and one without much thought – was that of Commetti’s. Given the circumstances, the Bombers do not deserve to feature in the showcase game of the home-and-away season.
Not only did the club act in a way totally contrary to what Anzac Day represents, but who wants to see what will more than likely be a belting of epic proportions in the biggest home-and-away game of the year?
However after giving the matter more thought, I believe the Bombers do deserve to play in the Anzac Day clash against Collingwood – and one of the reasons why is in total contradiction to one of my initial objections.
Why do we celebrate Anzac Day? What makes what our soldiers did at Gallipoli Cove so special and why has it become so intrinsic to our national consciousness?
Because a bunch of blokes kept fighting against almost impossible odds that were placed upon them by their leaders.
Sound familiar?
Yes, the Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon could be a blow out. But what better way to celebrate a day based upon fighting the impossible fight than a group of youngsters, has-beens and those not quite good enough to cut it, taking on a side some tip to be creating a dynasty.
What if they somehow got up? Stranger things have happened in our great game over the years, and what a story it would be. Not only can you imagine the headlines the following day, but also the euphoria of long suffering Bombers supporters. It would certainly be something to behold.
And that is something else for those who believe Essendon do not deserve to feature in this game to consider – the supporters. Some have behaved like right-wing conservatives who refuse to acknowledge any evidence that challenges their outdated beliefs and blindingly believing in the messiah James Hird, but most just love their footy club and want to put this whole saga behind them.
These supporters have done nothing wrong, and one of the few things they have to look forward to in what shapes as an extremely disappointing season is the big Anzac Day clash.
Then there is the players themselves. Those that are representing the club in 2016 cannot be judged guilty by association to the supplements scandal so have therefore done nothing wrong, yet they all share the burden that has been quite rightly placed on the club.
For them the Anzac Day clash will be something firstly worth looking forward to, and later – particularly for those who will never have the chance to play in another – a special day to look back on.
Do the current Essendon players and the clubs’ long suffering supporters, who have done nothing wrong, really deserve to be denied one of the few highlights in what will undoubtedly be a long and frustrating season?
It would be a harsh call to say they do.
Mike
Guest
Time to make the ANZAC Day game the Grand Final replay at the MCG,a big thanks to Coll and Ess ,but time to move on in the truly National Comp.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Exactly - it's a relic of the mid 90s when the national AFL was still in it's infancy and the Vic centricity at it's maximum. The talk of a balanced fixture should be far less focussed on an even H&A season - but - rather - on marketing opportunities. I can live with performance being rewarded with greater visibility the next year (okay, it's a lag but unless we have a somewhat more floating fixture - or at least double header Friday nights with the FTA big game not locked in until say a month out) but that flies in the face of the protectionism racket that these clubs have on Anzac Day, QBday etc.
Perry Bridge
Guest
As a North Melbourne supporter I have little sympathy for the argument that Essendon and Collingwood started it (the 'traditional' Anzac day game). Largely because as a North Melb supporter we pretty well started Friday night footy over the first 10-15 years when everyone thought night footy reduced skills/appeal. Then everyone wanted in because it was a marketing bonanza as Friday night televised footy became the big sell. So - why do Essendon and Collingwood get AFL protection on Anzac Day, let alone Melb and Coll on Queens B'day? And what can't we get North Melb v either Carlton (the battle of Royal Park - the childrens hosp precinct) or v the Doggies on Good Friday? 'Creating' a concept - well, that's rubbery. Games prior to that that fell on Anzac day we fine spectacles but yes - back in the day it was by coincidence rather than design. I do just wonder why and for how long Essendon and Collingwood will be warranted the head office protectionism? They both profit (well, every 2nd year when it's their 'home game') from the day while other clubs are withering at Etihad.....such as North Melb who did I mention effectively created Friday night footy......at the MCG....and we didn't voluntarily head off to Etihad, the AFL simply refused to fixture us at the MCG where we'd been a co-tenant since Arden St grandstand had been condemned. So - it was the dual kick in the guts. Kicked out of the 'G and into a crap deal at Etihad (with no bargaining power and no AFL support), and lose Friday nights (i.e. down to a couple at best). And what did we get in return? Thanks? Reward? Nothing. So - again - give us at least Good Friday. Performance - well, that doesn't come into the equation for Rich v Carl to kick the seasons off or for Melb on QB'day etc. So - again - I have no sympathy for the 'they created it' argument. And most certainly the disrepute that the arrogance of Essendon has brought before the entire AFL means they should certainly be no where near an event game like this this year.
Stephen
Guest
I am just glad that the next time the Royal Family come out during Footy Season, Richmond and Fitzroy have got the occasion sewn up! http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-06-05/50-years-of-mcg-memories-round-1-1970. It is also noteworthy that North Melbourne pioneered Friday Night Football, BUT once it was successful, the big boys moved in and North struggle to get a Friday Night game.
Biased_Cats_Supporter
Guest
Let them play but do not allow the club to reap the financial benefit.
Anzac Day pre Takeover
Guest
And if you truly want to pay your respects go the service provided by your local RSL and the March. If the MCG is the only place you attend an Anzac observance you aren't fair dinkum. You just happen to be there at a football match game when something comes on that you can't avoid.....bit like the Tigers Daryl Braithwaite mostosity coming up this week.
Anzac Day pre Takeover
Guest
By definition the other 16 clubs have been deemed not to "deserve" playing on the featured Anzac Day game since 1995. And the reason they don't deserve to play is that they are not Ess or Coll. With logic like that justifying the selection of teams for the past twenty years then there is no reason at all to argues Ess can't keep their spot. What I object to about the game is Sheedys and Maguires insistence that only their clubs and an exclusive game to boot can rightly honour the Anzacs. By definition other clubs are not to be trusted and somehow having two games on at the same time even in other parts of the country dilutes that honour. Yet when I read the history of Australian war I never see any mention that only troops from Victoria served the nation. And finally there are many myths about Anzac Day nearly the biggest being that football was never played on Anzac Day until Sheedy came up with the concept. It was at least from the 60s a split round in the VFL... 2 or 3 games on Anzac Day holiday ( which wasn't always the 25th. A curious period) and the others on Saturday. The ones I attended always had the army band, Last Post and a minutes silence. Just as moving and dignified as Purple Heads Disney productions of today.
Ron Jeremy aka "The Hedgehog"
Guest
You what!? Essendon created ANZAC Day. So the Essendon football club stormed the beaches at Gallipoli now. No doubt Hird the Turds great granddad was the field marshall that ordered the invasion too.
Samantha
Roar Rookie
No game should be owned by any club.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Very presumptuous of the AFL to dictate that these two clubs & these two clubs only, deserve the right to play in Victoria on ANZAC Day. Being an Essendon supporter, you naturally won't agree. I can understand that. I'd be delighted too. But, its still not right.
el rollo
Guest
Scrap the fixture all together. Give to two real battler clubs like North v Bulldogs
Barb
Guest
A True Aussie love a battler and support the challenge. Go bombers, you will come back bigger than ever.
Jason
Guest
If other clubs want to play these big games all they need to do is come up with a concept and make it happen. Essendon has been extremely lucky to have someone like Kevin Sheedy who has help mastermind not only ANZAC day but also dreamtime at the G and most recently the country game. These games didn't just happen and they certainly weren't gifted. Kevin Sheedy recently said that the country game has been years in the making! You can't just take games like that off a club that has had everything to do with it even being a game.
JamesH
Roar Guru
True, but I think that's the problem. Everyone just takes that fact for granted when really it goes to the crux of why the game should remain with the Dons and the Pies.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Don't be ridiculous. You can't 'gift' something to someone when they came up with the concept. Essendon and Collingwood masterminded that marquee game and simply sought the backing of the AFL to go ahead. If anything, they gifted it to the AFL and not the other way around. Just look at the publicity and revenue it has generated for the AFL, for simply giving the teams a thumbs up. It would be hubris for the AFL to step in now and dictate who gets to play.
joe b
Guest
Freo host the Len Hall tribute/commemorative game for ANZAC day. Len Hall was the last surviving member of the West Australian 10th Light Horse Regiment that fought in the Gallipoli campaign. The first game was played in 1996, Len Hall passed away in 1999 aged 101. http://www.lighthorse.org.au/personal-histories/personal-histories-boer-war-ww1-1/personal-histories-tpr-len-hall Playing too many games on ANZAC day starts to look like crass commercialisation. The AFL already gets criticism for awarding an ANZAC day medal for BOG for the ANZAC day clash, couple this with past references by coaches, players, and commentators, to the two teams going into battle/war like true ANZACs, and you can appreciate that the RSL might one day say enough is enough. Kevin Sheedy didn't come up with the idea of an ANZAC day clash, he was reportedly inspired by an earlier ANZAC day clash between Collingwood and Richmond... he approached then RSL president (a Collingwood supporter) to support an annual match between Collingwood and Sheedy's Essendon on ANZAC day. Any 2 big Melbourne clubs can draw a huge crowd on ANZAC day, so I find it rather unpleasant that the AFL allows the same 2 clubs to capitalise on, and monopolise, this day, every year. How is this fair?
JamesH
Roar Guru
If North came up with the concept then they deserve credit for that. But Friday night footy happens every week, including in finals. It's not a once-a-season event that can feasibly be kept to one or two teams.
Rabaul
Guest
Essendon with Sheeds birthed the concept of the ANZAC game and contacted Collingwood as the most viable and hostile opponent. It was a fantastic inovation as was the Dream Time game and now the Country Game. As supporters should stick with their teams in tough seasons, so should all footy supporters stick with the innovators who created the success. Even so, I think their should be an ANZAC Day game in each State and bring more teams and Diggers together on this great commemoration day. In Melbourne it's Essendon v Collingwood but in Brisbane - Brisbane v Gold Coast; Sydney - Sydney v GWS; Geelong - Geelong v Richmond; Launceston - Hawthorn v Carlton; Hobart - North Melbourne v St Kilda; Adelaide - Adelaide v Port; Perth - Freemantle v West Coast; Darwin - Melbourne v Footscray. Then ALL teams can have an ANZAC game, but in Melbourne, only one as there always has been. Why not?
Clay Davis
Guest
Essendon should not even be participating in the competition at all. Good luck if they are at the ANZAC game, I'll be playing golf or doing something else. It is for Essendon and Collingwood supporters only. Couldn't care less.
Ben
Guest
Yep and North promoted the idea of Friday night Footy and had that taken away when they weren't performing.