A couple of weeks ago, ahead of their Round 8 clash against the Manly Sea Eagles, the Wests Tigers unveiled their Anzac Round jersey.
My view is that a jersey, particularly to celebrate an occasion or a particular cause, is something that requires input from several parties including the players, senior management and the board. It’s unclear what process was followed at the Tigers, but apparently the jersey was signed off by the NRL too.
Despite all these sign-offs, there was a problem due to the imagery from the jersey’s stock photo not featuring Australian soldiers but American ones.
From a governance perspective, I’m not sure how this happened.
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But this article is not about the Wests Tigers. Not really. Because following the revelations about the Tigers jersey, Canberra’s jersey from last year came under the microscope too and I’m sure if you looked in the past, other clubs might have had similar challenges.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The conversation is also much broader than just Anzac Round. It’s about the way our major sports are commercialising so many causes and occasions.
Another fitting example is the ‘Pride Jersey’ released by the Sea Eagles last year.
This was another example of a club not doing the appropriate work and consultation prior to releasing a jersey which said something very specific about their organisation. Whilst the jersey generated plenty of jarring commentary, in a way it was successful because it sold out very quickly.
I firmly believe if the clubs do not have the time and resources to do the work associated with these jerseys, then they should not be released and if they are released, they should link back to the cause or community.
That link could be as simple as mandating that a proportion of jersey sales must go toward a charity or organisation which supports that community. For Anzac Round, Legacy Australia would be a perfect choice.
Just because a commercial opportunity exists to sell another jersey to fans, should we take it?
But onto the Round itself.
I understand that for servicemen, servicewomen, their families and the families of those who have served in the past, that this Round is an important opportunity to recognise their service and their contributions. But it’s not just about the past either. This Round is an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges that this community faces, particularly around mental health.
But how did we get to a point where the Anzac Day ceremony became a standard part of game day for the best part of the week? Just because it’s Anzac Round, does every team need to celebrate it the same way?
For example, earlier this week the NRL referees welcomed displaced Ukrainian families to join them for a special ceremony and a rugby league clinic. There is an opportunity to recognise the incredible commitment of these people without it feeling like we are simply going through the motions.
Despite the bungle with the initial jersey (which may end up being some sort of weird collectors item), the Tigers have announced that all player jerseys will be auctioned off with profits going to Legacy (although this doesn’t address the profit the club will make from the jerseys themselves).
English forward John Bateman and NRLW player Ruby-Jean Kennard model the Wests Tigers’ original Anzac Round jersey. (Photo: www.weststigers.com.au)
The Last Post is truly beautiful. When I hear it on Anzac Day I often get goosebumps. It is a moment of pause and of reflection. A moment to remember the horror of war and to commemorate the sacrifice made my so many men and women for the rights and privileges we enjoy in this beautiful country.
The key word is commemorate, which is what we do on this day. This is very different from celebration.
This week ‘Anzac Round’ started on Thursday night. By the time the Sydney Roosters and the St George Illawarra Dragons take the field on Tuesday, which is actually Anzac Day, if you watch all the games you will have heard the Last Post six times. Then again later that night when Melbourne host the Warriors.
Does this impact its significance? Does it cheapen it?
Whilst the pre-match ceremony does give servicemen and servicewomen the chance to be connected to their clubs and be recognised in the lead-up to Anzac Day, I wonder if there is another way to do it.
The old cliché suggests less is more and when it comes the commemoration of Anzac Day, my preference is just that.
Cwizzle
Roar Rookie
Sorry I missed something ? Manly felt the need to release a ‘Pride’ jersey for ‘Women of League’ round. You want to discuss whether something is appropriate… Why has that small point been forgotten?
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
The language of war permeates rugby league ... players are often referred as "troops" ... a good half back organises his troops ... a few injuries and you can start to run out of troops ... our goal kickers are sharp -shooters ... players sometimes go down as if hit by a sniper ... you want to play with blokes who take no prisoners, who hold the line, never surrender a lead, and are the sort of blokes you want next to you in the trenches ... we admire the walking wounded, and hate seeing players carried off on a stretcher ... teams regroup at half-time ... players are awarded medals ...fullbacks defuse bombs ( I sometimes hear commentators saying teams need to throw up more bombs, rather than kick more bombs) ... players run as if shot out of a cannon ... big forwards are built like a tank ... you need to have pride in the uniform .... wingers have explosive speed ... cowards hide in the bunker ... etc
Birdy
Roar Rookie
cudgel ,It sounds like you don’t appreciate what our diggers did for us.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
If you disagree with what I've written, give us your reasons.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
change hands / use lube
Mick Jeffrey
Roar Rookie
They'll send up doing what the did here locally a couple of years ago, have someone read "In Flanders Fields" before the last post. I believe the AFL are only going to have this at 6 of the games (one per state, with a second on ANZAC Eve in Melbourne with elements different to the ANZAC Day ceremony)
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Instead of the Last Post, they should play Eric Bogle's The Band Played Waltzing Matilda once in awhile.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Don't bother with all that complicated reality and politics, our job is to just mouth "Digger. Sacrifice" without thinking.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I have made a reply.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
My great uncle Arthur lost both legs from the knees down but he could walk on crutches and was able to run a business printing books. Every time he visited his sister (Nana) he gave my dad a pencil. My dad was in Borneo and didn't speak much about it. He told me his worst night was when he had sentry duty. He knew morse code so he got to carry the heavy communications equipment. I met a Vietnam veteran at Uni in 1974. He was a lovely guy but badly affected by his time in Vietnam. Despite this he went on a second tour because he wanted to be with his mates. It saddened him that there were idiots who blamed the soldiers for Australia being in Vietnam. They spat at the soldiers when they should've blamed Menzies and Holt. I believe JFK was killed because he didn't want to go to Vietnam. Dr Strangelove was Curtis Le May the Air Force member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He led the Air Force when they droped the nuclear bombs on Japan.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Spot on, I have an Uncle that served 2yrs in combat and if you get him at the right time, he is very engaging and has some incredible stories from his time fighting overseas. He loves the whole ANZAC Day and catching up with his war buddies is his highlight for the year. My Grandfather though, geez Louise, he suffered PTSD most of his life, threw all his war medals away and absolutely hated any mention or recognition of the war. Off topic, but I still laugh at my Dad's opinion on football which was "why the hell are these grown men playing a game, is there something stopping them from getting real jobs?".
Relaxed and Comfortable
Roar Rookie
So true Jimmmy. I sincerely hope there are no war metaphors used both in the media and here on the roar. Younger, naive commenters do not realise the disrespect and hurt this shows to those who served by sacrificing their youth, and ultimately for many, their lives. Let’s enjoy the footy for what it is, a game, and respect Anzac Day in solemn reflection.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I’m with you Mary. The last post and Anzac Day jerseys should be reserved for the two teams that play on Anzac Day the Dragons and Roosters. Hearing the last post for a week is a bit much
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Mary , the NRL are masters if beguilement . Let's call it andn Anzac Day Test but we can t the NRL take priority on th date . Let's call it Anzac week bug the crafty old RSL want their day . And poor old West's and Canberra just want to have jersey that features war .
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
It's a highly individual thing Rob. My brother died about 15 years ago from direct and indirect issues relating to Vietnam. He didn't speak about the war much but he loved ANZAC round footy. He wasn't one for marching or socialising on Anzac day but we would have a beer and watch the footy and I know the ceremony at the game meant something to him. I know a lot but certainly not all feel this way. If the ceremony is respectful and commentators stop the war metaphor crepe I really can't see it being anything other than a solemn acknowledgement of peoples sacrifices .
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
the sacrifice for the rights and privileges we enjoy in this beautiful country. I agree that we should remember the sacrifices they made but it was not for the rights and privileges we enjoy in this beautiful country. It was to: 1. Help France win back Alsace and Lorraine from Germany after they lost it in the Franco/Prussian war of 1871. 2. Go to Gallipoli to take the Holy land from the Ottoman Empire. Australia and New Zealand were given this task by Winston Churchill. 3. Blame Germany for starting the war at the Treaty of Versailles and make them pay for it. John Maynard Keynes said leaving aside the moral issue this was a terrible idea that would lead to a second, more deadly, war.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Good piece Mary. My grandfather served in WWI, in France. My father says he would never speak if it. My father in law served as a war correspondent in Vietnam. He does not wish to speak of it. I’m guessing there are many who served who do not wish to be reminded of it, especially in a context of a football game. That said, to those who have served or suffered, my thanks and thoughts are with you.