It’s fitting that one of the A-League’s Remembrance Round matches will take place in Mudgee, since regional Australia has sacrificed so much during war.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918 to mark the end of the First World War.
It was supposed to be the war to end all wars, but sadly, history tells us that was certainly not the case.
And while there’s a bit of an uneasy nexus between sport and remembrance – the issue of who wears poppies in the United Kingdom has fast become another unfortunate symbol of nationalism – it stands to reason that the A-League stops to remember the Australians who left for distant shores never to return home.
The Mudgee District Fallen Soldiers Memorial records the names of 96 men from the district who fell during the Great War alone.
It’s a sombre statistic, but it should come as no real surprise given that an estimated 40 per cent of the Australian male population aged between 18 and 44 answered the mother country’s call to sign up for Britain’s war efforts.
And it’s these men and the many more Australians like them – including countless women – we’ll stop to recognise during Remembrance Round.
You could hardly pick a more picturesque venue for the clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar, with the Glen Willow Stadium in Mudgee an absolutely picture-perfect country setting.
Fans at the Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium in Mudgee, Sunday, May 7, 2017. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Mudgee has made a bit of name for itself hosting professional sporting fixtures over the past few years, and hopefully, a decent crowd turns out for the maiden visit of the A-League.
Full credit to the Red and Black Bloc as well, who have announced they’ll be raising money for the 200 Bales campaign aimed at helping drought-stricken farmers feed their cattle.
The RBB don’t always get the best rap, but hopefully, they turn out in big numbers and tip a few dollars into the local economy as well.
It’s always been a bit of a surprise that administrators haven’t made more effort to encourage fans to travel as part of their A-League experience, but in the absence of anything official, many fans have simply organised themselves.
The new Brisbane Roar Away Days Facebook group that popped up last week suggests at least a few of their supporters have pencilled in Mudgee as the place to be this weekend, and frankly it’s nice just to have a fixture that isn’t the exact same one we’ve already seen at least thirty times before.
Mind you, the rest of the round looks compelling enough, with Melbourne City and Wellington Phoenix both looking to overcome last weekend’s 3-0 defeats with an improved showing at AAMI Park tonight.
And having beaten Sydney FC at McDonald Jones Stadium last season, the Newcastle Jets would love nothing more than to kick-start their season with a similar result on Saturday night.
But the two matches of the round arguably take place on Sunday – which is fast becoming the must-see day of A-League action.
Adelaide United and Perth Glory have been going at each other ever since the A-League first kicked off, and it’ll be interesting to see if Glory can follow their home win over Brisbane Roar last week with a decent away display.
A fan view ahead of the City v Country Origin rugby league match at Glen Willow Regional Sports Stadium in Mudgee (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Meanwhile, Melbourne Victory round out the weekend with another Sunday evening kick-off against the Central Coast Mariners – having already played out one late Sunday thriller in their recent 3-2 defeat to Perth Glory.
But the whole round largely pales into insignificance when compared with the reason the A-League is playing a Remembrance Round in the first place.
Australia would do well not to fall into the trap of mindlessly glorifying war.
But one hundred years after the guns fell silent on the battlefields of Europe, it doesn’t hurt to pause and remember those who served.
chris
Guest
League doing just fine in the country areas thank you very much. I've heard they might crack 100 players in group 10 next season.
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
So I wonder which multi you belong to
Hermes
Guest
As expected the game in the rugby league heartland of Mudgee was a failure. The crowd turn out sits on the lower spectrum of visits to the stadium, with the 2018 Charity Shield still in top position (9,133) followed by this years visit from the Dragons and Raiders (8,962). Highest to Lowest: 9,133 – 2018 Charity Shield 8,962 – 2018 Dragons v Raiders 8,631 – 2012 City-Country 8,322 – 2017 City-Country 6,357 – 2017 Waratahs v Brumbies 5,067 - Wanderers v Brisbane Roar 3,132 – 2013 Titans v Parramatta
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Yes but i'm pretty sure it's just one NRL game aa year
chris
Guest
I take it you won't be watching Hermes? Thanks for taking the time to comment on the football tab to show off your insecurities.
Old Greg
Guest
A-League in Mudgee? Is Kenny Sutcliffe going to be there?
Hermes
Guest
A complete waste of time. Except for the people that will turn up for the novelty of it, Mudgee is rugby league heartland.
pacman
Guest
Enjoyed three days in Mudgee a few weeks ago, visiting wineries and a distillery, along with the old cement town of Kandos, which has an absolutely fascinating history. Had no idea Brisbane Roar were playing at Mudgee, otherwise I may have been able to change my itinerary. Bugger!
Dart
Guest
Judy Masters, from the Illawarra, served at Gallipoli and on the Western Front, where he was injured. He went on to become the second captain of the Socceroos. I remember catching a tv program in which rugby league personality Roy Masters was speaking about Judy (his grandfather). It was really fascinating.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Thanks griffo
Griffo
Roar Guru
Seems pertinent to pop this in here today - from the ongoing feature series in the Newcastle Herald Centenary of the Great War by war historian David Dial OAM.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
We must not forget Kenny Sutcliffe , the male model from Mudgee ,, courtesy of the twelfth man .
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Mudgee hosts massive concerts , Nrl gsmes , it’s a tourist and convention hub . As well as having billion dollar thouriughbred horse studs and surrounding mines wine and food industry . It’s one of the most important and diverse regions in New South Wales
Punter
Roar Rookie
But Fad the doomsayers says the A-league is on the verge of destruction!!!!
Nemesis
Guest
With the new Foxtel streaming product that was released for Trial yesterday, you'll be able to watch any A-League, or W-League match at any time. If you miss the start, you can click on & "From Start" or just keep watching from when you logged on. So, every match is available On Demand right from kick-off. $25/month for High Definition, streaming on any device, including casting to TV screens. https://kayosports.com.au/
Fadida
Guest
Ha ha! Nice one... Mid :)
Fadida
Guest
My thoughts exactly Chris. There are countless leagues across Europe with average crowds way below ours that survive quite comfortably.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Exactly Chris, enjoy, especially as Sydney continues on its merry way despite the changes in coaching staff & playing personnel.
Punter
Roar Rookie
There is a bit of 'Tony Abbott' in us all, some more then most, if we don't get out way, don't agree with FFA, we blow the house down.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Thanks Christo, will look out for that next time I go to Mudgee. I did have some nice coffee there, just a bit of generalisation interplay with Fad, who lives in an outback NSW tiny city just north of one of the world's greatest cities.