Sport is not war, but it helps us remember and reflect

A typical Perry Bridge comment concerning anything RL- Whinge, whinge, whinge, confected outrage.Grumble, mumble, fumble, RL's the devil. Blah, blah, blah, AFL's the only true faith. This is then usually by followed by a spell of you are but what am I. The whole thing is then padded out to a thousand words, because you know, the more you type, the higher your intelligence. But it's a free country. So rage on Perry, rage on.

Great article AJ. The "black out" at AAMI Park last night was very powerful.

It may have been forged in that era but it’s perhaps also worth noting that our own propaganda machine painted the great war as this fantastic adventure. We’ve moved on in our understanding from war is a chance for glory and free overseas trip. Now most would see it is a sometimes an unavoidable by-product of mankind but a horrible place that will break or kill the vast majority of the young men and women brave enough to make to the sacrifice.

We probably agree on 90% of it - I've long ago got over any concern I had about the branding of the Anzac football (AFL type) - I'm more concerned about other commercial activities that have cashed in on 'Anzac' branding but that's another story. What you have trouble with - the thing that don't "sit right" with you are what I was defending. The links are very strong - I'm pretty sure that you will not have watched last nights pre-game - it was excellent and todays should be very good too. I don't see anything wrong with an Anzac Day 'Eve' match - other than trying to fall asleep after knowing that the alarm is set for 4pm!!

Let’s see if he can respond in under 1000 words ?

That wasn’t derisive. You chose to take offence just do you could write yet another of your boring lectures. The follow up was even worse.

#Justin Kearney Exhibit A: "It most definitely doesn’t sit right with me that the AFL have decided to play an ‘Anzac eve’ game, but I guess it’s good for them, their broadcasters and their sponsors." The prolonged element of the article was nothing to do with AFL in particular but very, very much focused on Australia's slightly unique and distinct at the time sporting culture. As per another article today that references Sir John Monash: In his book, "The Australian Victories in France in 1918", Monash insisted that the “instinct of sport and adventure” is part of the “great national tradition” for Australians and the major factor, along with “the advanced education system” in creating the character of the Australian soldier, “which made him what he was”. This is a nod from a military man to the sporting culture - there IS a valid link - to be frank, dating back well before Rugby League was ever thought of - so on this front you can see that the debt of history is a two way transaction. And there was exploitation of that link such as via the usage of sporting language - as per this from the article today by Spiro: Dr Herbert Moran, the influential captain of the Wallabies in 1908, from a hospital ship off Gallipoli, backed this effort by the rugby officials by telling his fellow Australians, “You must all come over if you want to win this war … It is the only game worth playing at present, and they are in our 25. If we lose we are out of the competition forever, and when we win we shall despise those who looked over the fence when our line was in danger.” So - again - to the author of the article - I suggest that you accept that this footy/war link is forged (in blood and culture) strongly and is perfectly valid.

There was no decision of the afl in that article pezle. You chose to take offence just so you could write yet another prolonged afl puff piece. Great article AJ.

For a kid growing up today, is the football match (AFL or NRL) more synonymous with ANZAC day than say the Dawn Service? Agree with your point that both the AFL and NRL and the clubs involved can have a big impact in spreading awareness and raising money for various charities for returned soldiers. I think even more can be done here, with a greater proportion of merchandise, ticket sales etc donated, because in the end, playing on ANZAC day shouldn't be about profit for those involved... Also loved the spectacle of the Richmond vs Melbourne game last night, however the term "ANZAC Eve" doesn't sit well with me either

I posted this on another thread - re the thoughts of Sir John Monash on the value of the sporting culture of the Australian soldier – this was something that Australia led the world in – community sports. I think of the observations in “Town Life in Australia” (R.E.N.Twopeny) who observed : “brought up in a country where idleness is a reproach, they have the serious side of life always before them. To ‘get on’ is the watchword of young Australia, and getting-on means hard work. But the more ample reward attaching to labour out here leaves the colonist more leisure. And this leisure he devotes to working at play.” And of Australian schoolboys: “Able to ride almost as soon as he can walk, he is fond of all athletic sports; but it is not till leaving school that his athleticism becomes fully pronounced: thus reversing the order observed in England, where the great majority of the boys, who are cricket and football mad at school, more or less drop those pursuits as young men.” Community Club based sports was far more pronounced: “In Victoria, especially, the boys are inordinately fond of games and outdoor sports of every kind; but too many of the day-boys prefer playing cricket and football with local clubs to joining in the school games” Monash also observed re discipline: “The Australian Army is a proof that individualism is the best and not the worst foundation upon which to build up collective discipline. The Australian is accustomed to team work…. The relations between the officers and men of the Australian Army were also of a nature which is deserving of notice … there was no officer caste, no social distinction in the whole force. In not a few instances, men of humble origin and belonging ot the artisan class rose, during the war, from privates to the command of Battalions.” Now - back to your derision of the AFL - if I stick just to the VFL then we an trace back to a 30 game Essendon player Charlie Moore who did 12 May 1901 at Kwaggashoek Farm in South Africa and by late June former Fitzroy player Stan Reid died in Middel-Kraal. The VFL alone lost something like 96 players killed in WWI and a further 54 in WWII. The VFL based clubs have every right to remember, lest they forget!!! The Collingwood v Essendon game - as much as I dislike their mortgage on the day - was arranged with direct consultation with the then RSL President the late Bruce Ruxton (himself a Collingwood fan). The games don't claim to be warlike - but they DO encourage people to take a moment to reflect - let alone that many fans of the teams will have had the early start of Dawn Service - no shortage of reflection time!! Then read a book such as the Changi Brownlow and reflect how sport was a vital part of what made these blokes what they were and what they were fighting for. I think the absence of commemoration would be FAR more concerning than what the author of this article seems to have an issue with.

Terrific ANZAC feature AJ. You've summed up very well how those who might not have been directly affected through not having family members serving in the defence forces, can still appreciate and acknowledge their efforts so we can lead the lives we do. I just hope the two games of League live up to expectations and do justice to the day as well. On the commercial front, the NRL must know how manyANZAC commemorative items are sold each year. It shou,d be able to work out a minimum donation and present this to the National President of the RSL at half time of the late game (if the total presented is exceeded, this can be handed over at a later stage). If I buy a jumper, I want to see my portion going where it will do some good.