Sport's awkward relationship with Anzac Day

That’s brilliantly put...

I don't like trolls waiting under the bridge, popping up to yell at people reflecting on ANZAC day

No different for attending the funeral of someone who was not the person the eulogy would have you believe. There is a time and place for pointing out that the person who passed was not much of a fella, or was a drunk driver who cause the death of others etc etc. But the funeral itself can stand on its own. There is a place on ANZAC morning to quietly wish these thousands of men and women didn't have to die, and 364 other days to point out that they didn't.

It's certainly a tough mix to get right... at various times, sports organisers will overstep 'the line' on ANZAC Day and they need to be picked up on it. Some good points here!

The NRL and AFL have both taken advantage of the commercial possibilities of Anzac Day. But sport does help bring the community together. Both codes stretch it out a bit far but 100,000 at the MCG today to watch a game and pay respects to the Anzacs is a sight to behold. The game at Allianz is equally significant. Ideally I would like it if these were the only two Anzac games to be played with no commercial side effects, but that's not going to happen.

Of course politicians want to get their bibs in whenever they can but I think you’re being a bit harsh. I’ve never been to any ANZC day event thats about military might, there about rememberance, tradition and respect. Get out into the burbs, the ceremonies there aren’t about generals and politicians.

Simon, Agreed. I've been to the last 4 Anzac games, and without a doubt the best atmosphere of the year - a bizarre feeling considering it's a roosters game. Credit to their supporter. He makes a lot of noise. Jokes aside, afternoon footy is always the best, and this one is better cause it's a full house. It's the only day time full house of the year, and it is distinctly different to a night atmosphere.

All sport in Australia and NZ should embrace Anzac Day. The one thing that kept the diggers focused and believing they would survive the insanity if war, was home , family friends and a normal life style in which sport played a major part. As long as it is never over commercialised or used as a political platform, blow that whistle ref.

Ditto Kanga Anzac Day has and always will be big.

I agree, some of it is very hard to cop. From the AFL making a round stretching back to last Friday out of it to $160 camo Steggles jerseys. But I also wanted to piggyback this article to make an argument for the Roosters Dragons Anzac game being the most underrated sporting event on the Australian calendar. Something about the SFS when full on an April afternoon produces THE greatest atmosphere in Australian sport, imo better than AFL/NRL grand finals and potentially even Suncorp Origins. That’s a big call I know but take a minute to take in the atmosphere about 20 minutes in this afternoon and you’ll see why I’m desperately sad this will be the last year it’s held there

I can’t see any reason not to play on Anzac Day. As you say Alligee it is tinged with commercialism but that’s not a reason not to play footy of any code. The pre-game ceremony is one of the highlights of the footy year as far as I am concerned. Just adds to what is a very special day.

I agree. The general tone of Anzac day has changed in the last 10-15 years. It has coincided with the use of the Americanism of "respecting the troops" which is used to stifle any negative commentary of anything military. Anzac day has become a parade of the military's political power and is used to maintain its hold on a big slice of the Federal budget. The media arm of the armed forces is huge, and has learnt many lessons since Vietnam. Away from the big city parades with their generals and politicians, in small country towns it is much more respectful and traditional.

As long as the sports involved acknowledge openly, the sacrifices, courage of our service men and women, and the fact they helped retain our way of life in a democracy with all its benefits therein, as front and centre of the day, that in effect ensures they never will be forgotten by sports people and their fans. And that should be the case forever more. Any public acknowledgment of their deeds and what it means to us is worthwhile. That the games are played before big crowds, but also before large Tv audiences(regardless of TV's commercialisation),ensures they will not be forgotten, and this message relayed to the many watching at the grounds or their TV lounges. I'm fortunate enough to have all my relatives return safely from overseas conflicts. I cannot imagine losing one in such way ,thus they who paid the ultimate sacrifice must be forever remembered and if sport is one avenue be it.Regardless of any sponsorship appearing on team jerseys.

I’m not sure you can decide now whether you would have volunteered for a war fought over 100 years ago now Tauranga Boy. You weren’t alive at the time and have no experience of the mood that existed. In my experience over 59 years I’ve never thought Anzac Day was represented as a day of mindless patriotism. To the contrary it is a very melancholic day of remembrance and always has been. The footy is a nice add on these days. I like the concept of the game and the way the players and crowd embrace it.

Sport on ANZAC day is Australian, no one likes the crass commercialisation of it - but that is a fact of life. The TV contracts are huge, the margin of profits small, it s a conundrum that is compounded on all sides, even players like to develop their full earning capacity in every area, which of course is their right. When the trough is wide and full stick your snout in as deep and as often as possible, whether that is for purely selfish reasons or reasons of setting up your family or buying your mum a house - who knows. Cant speak for the NRL but the AFL pays their respects like they should but ultimately they have a comp to run and money to make. In reality have the faceless money men been ever any different ?.

It's a tough one. I don't have any problems with sport on ANZAC Day. Looking at it from a simplistic point of view, ANZAC Day is an authentic Australian day, whilst sport is also a very Australian thing. I'm from a military family, so ANZAC Day is a big thing in my house, but I don't necessarily believe that sport is overshadowing what the day means. There's a reason why the Collingwood-Dons match begins at 3:20pm. The parades, dawn-services and other remembrance activities are completed, and everyone's headed down to the pubs and the stadium to watch some footy. You're going to get people complaining about it though, just as people complain about anything. My work was (briefly) under fire this week for releasing the latest Marvel movie today. The media highlighted us for "disrespecting the day", whilst neglecting to look at all the other reasons behind it.

Well said TB. Beyond the commercialism and jingoism the issue is we must always remember their sacrifice. Lest we forget and repeat the same mistakes and send our youth once more to war.

It’s not to promote patriotism... it’s a Remembrance Day . My dad served in the Vietnam war ,, it wasn’t a choice as young men were conscripted to go . Every body prefers footy to war , so your perspective on that is pretty unanimous.

It’s a good point. I think it’s possible to commemorate the efforts and sacrifices of the soldiers while being reviled at the wars they fought in and the reasons why. I feel the same way about the wars I would or wouldn’t have signed up for but a thing to remember is that for a lot of these wars we wouldn’t have been given the choice of whether we fought or not.

True. Cheers.