Essendon coach John Worsfold has dismissed calls for the Anzac Day blockbuster to be shared among other AFL clubs as insulting and disrespectful.
The Bombers have been ravaged by anti-doping suspensions and Collingwood are struggling with just one win going into the showpiece fixture, leading for some commentators – notably Channel Seven doyen Dennis Cometti – to call for the game to be shared around.
Worsfold said the idea of giving other clubs the opportunity to play on Anzac Day at the expense of Essendon did a disservice to Kevin Sheedy, one of the architects of the blockbuster.
“How this day came about … it’s probably a little bit insulting towards Kevin Sheedy and his vision for what the game is about and how big the game is,” Worsfold said on Friday.
“Collingwood and Essendon, what they’ve built up to make this one of the premier sporting days on the Australian calendar, it’s probably a little bit disrespectful to those clubs who have got it to where it is because obviously it wasn’t this big when it started.”
The Magpies’ own 1-3 start to the season has been the subject of intense media scrutiny but Worsfold has urged his players to shut out the negative commentary.
“Our focus is on our preparation,” he said.
“I absolutely believe that you want to play every team at their absolute best otherwise you never really know where you’re at.
“Regardless of what the external talk is we know Collingwood are a talented team who are going to make it very tough for us on Monday.”
The Bombers side will have at least one change to the one which was gallant in defeat against Geelong last week.
Jayden Laverde suffered a shoulder injury in that game and will miss up to eight weeks after undergoing surgery.
Josh
Guest
It's not the fault of anyone except the AFL who have exploited it and commercialised it to the point now where many people have only one concern on the day - finding somewhere to watch the tv coverage.
anon
Guest
Essendon and Collingwood don't have any exclusive hold on any ANZAC related AFL events.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Quiet contemplation doesn't get Dazza and his mates to the recruiting office when Johnny Foreigner steps out of line.
My2cents
Guest
Wouldn't we play cricket. The Anzacs were willing to risk a game on the Turkish peninsula
harry houdini
Roar Rookie
I expect to see no posts from you on Monday and perhaps the whole weekend as you will obviously be in quiet reflection for the long weekend, that's what the diggers would have wanted !.
Peeeko
Guest
Really well said sir Additionally to call it an insult to Sheedy and his vision - it's only a football game. Playing a football game in Anzac Day isn't splitting the atom
David
Guest
Liam, no he doesn't. Any other questions?
Republican
Guest
The whole Anzac thing has degenerated into a commercial jingo fest. Disrespectful is an understatement.. It is a sad indictment on our national character, that we derive so much identity through our often mythological war exploits, while our sporting bodies capitalise on our appetite for pathos, by exploiting Anzac with these sorts of 'blockbuster events'. If we truly revered the day everything would close down and it would be a day of quiet contemplation that wouldn't even require a public holiday to mark it, or make it somehow more meaningful. There is a lot wrong with Anzac Day in my opinion.
Liam O'Neill
Guest
Does John also think it was insulting and disrespectful when North lost Friday nights