Why is such a big deal made of the ANZAC game?

[Cool Kangas]

I guess when they experimented with the ANZAC Day double header, it wasn't popular; OR (more likely) Essendon & Collingwood complained about the spotlight not being fully on their game?

Yep prob the case

 

[ThatsjustDappa]

ANZAC Day in Australia was dying a slow death a few years ago. The marches were getting smaller, the dawn services were ill attended and the idea that is was a glorification of war had taken over a whole generation. The ANZAC Day game may not have been the only reason that interest, education and respect have been restored to the day, but it certainly helped.

Nah, the AFL jumped on the bandwagon many years after Anzac day was revived and popularised. To me they're just jumping on the coat tails. The popularity of Remembrance increased from the 70s and then exploded in popularity over next two decades from events such as the 75th anniversary Govt pilgrimage to Gallipoli, funding for shrines/events and revitalised annual rituals for all wars.

 

[ToddaRools]

Out of interest why is there a game tonight? Anzac Day is tomorrow so why don’t they have the night match tomorrow night?

having two minnow teams playing tonight is a good lead into a sellout game between two giants of the AFL.

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[Adz]

Freo used to play Anzac Day. Not sure why it stopped.

 

[ToddaRools]

Haha two responses? Relax, Finger. I’ll get to you when I have a moment.

ANZAC Day is a great game and I enjoy it being between Essendon and Collingwood - two big four rivals. I wouldn’t want Richmond playing on ANZAC Day as it just wouldn’t feel right. It’s a fixture that belongs to the Pies and Bombers.

I’m happy with our ANZAC Day Eve clash with the Dees. I can get pissed and not have to worry about work the next day. I think our pre-game ceremony is better as well. I’ve been to both live and there’s more atmosphere at night time...

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Some of those images just look spectacular. One thing I would like to see changed is perhaps the day fixture on ANZAC Day between Essendon and Collingwood to start at night. The eternal flame and the crowd just look so much better in the dark.

Just pulling ya chain as well there Finger. ANZAC Day Eve is the biggest H&A fixture of the season and I thoroughly enjoy it as a neutral.

the melb/tugger game should be played at marvel stadium next year, it's a bit embarrassing to have such a an important game played in a half filled mcg.

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[Zoom]

this game should be played at marvel stadium next year, it's a bit embarrassing to have such a an important game played in a half filled mcg.

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You guys are trying too hard lol

 

[ToddaRools]

You guys are trying too hard lol

a paltry 72,000 spectators got to watch that crap.

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[Zoom]

a paltry 72,000 spectators got to watch that crap.

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Zzzzzzzz

 

[Evolved1]

I don’t get the fuss really, it is treated as the second biggest game of the year behind the GF, yet it is only a regular season home and away game.

There is an enormous load of promotional w@nk in the lead up to it as if the players are going into battle... They aren’t, it’s a football game worth 4 competition points.

The ANZAC medal is treated to be as prestigious as winning a Norm Smith, which is also ridiculous - it’s the best player in a game between Essendon and Collingwood.

The better option would be to only have ANZAC round.

I’m all for marquee games - Geelong gets Easter Monday for example. However, the ANZAC game should just be another marquee game, not its own Grand Final.

One word: Essendon.

Geelong is a second rate club. The only way you'll have a chance of finding yourself in the second biggest game of the year is if you play Essendon in a marquee game.

 

[Papa G]

Either way why do Collingwood or Essendon or Richmond need the AFL to promote them, west coast are arguably the biggest club in Australia and have done it without an ounce of help from the AFL. And rightfully so they don’t need the help.

Arguably? West Coast are that far In front of any other club it isn't funny.

 

[hoianbulldog]

RedVest4 I have a thread for you on the Bay where you can air your grievances.

Seriously though, it's a big deal because there's history between the clubs which includes some connection to the ANZAC history. I guess these two sides were chosen to represent the day for the AFL because they have this history and more importantly can bring in huge crowds.

What is the anzac connection between the two clubs?

 

[hoianbulldog]

When you take away all the fluff and lip service, it's just a football game which two franchises annually use to profit off the bloodshed and sacrifices of generations past.

They are clubs, not franchises. Why people don't understand this annoys the yankee doodle dandee crap out of me.

 

[swiftdog]

Either way why do Collingwood or Essendon or Richmond need the AFL to promote them, west coast are arguably the biggest club in Australia and have done it without an ounce of help from the AFL. And rightfully so they don’t need the help.

Collingwood certainly don’t need the AFL to promote them. AFL promote them because they know it fills their coffers, not that Collingwood don’t get benefits from it of course. A never ending cycle. It’s no surprise that Collingwood have opened every AFLW season.

On this particular match, unless my memory’s hazy, it was pretty much a Sheedy and Essendon thing 25 years ago. Collingwood chosen as a big Victorian club to go up against them. The draw in the first match certainly helped the game build a legacy of it’s own. There’s enough debate in this thread about whether the game’s purely exploitive of the day or has helped promote the meaning of the day for people to make up their own mind.

 

[hoianbulldog]

One word: Essendon.

Geelong is a second rate club. The only way you'll have a chance of finding yourself in the second biggest game of the year is if you play Essendon in a marquee game.

Geelong have a pretty good recent record making the biggest game of the year. Geeezus, even the Bulldogs have a good recent record. Hang your hat on anzac day and come back when you play games worth more than 4 points.

A side note, i think the anzac day medalist should automatically be king of moomba the following year.

Bert Newton likes this idea.

 

[Evolved1]

Geelong have a pretty good recent record making the biggest game of the year. Geeezus, even the Bulldogs have a good recent record. Hang your hat on anzac day and come back when you play games worth more than 4 points.

A side note, i think the anzac day medalist should automatically be king of moomba the following year.

Bert Newton likes this idea.

I don't recall Geelong playing in Dreamtime at the G. Keep dreaming.

 

[hoianbulldog]

I really don't understand the derision and whinging about commercialism by most on here.. This game helped a generation get back in touch with the sacrifce of our diggers and the fallen. Forget any hate towards the two clubs and therefore trying to play it down- this match is about much more. It has changed attitudes and educated many.

In the early games the calling out during the minutes silence was plentiful and moronic. Now the change in attitude and the respect of our fallen is depicted by the silence of 90,000 people contemplating the sacrifice of others.

It is more than the game now. It is an avenue to focus on something that may have disappeared as the soldiers and members of organisations like the RSL passed away. I get that some feel too cool for school to praise the AFL or opposition clubs like Collingwood and Essendon, but you must have your club or anti establishment goggles on to be anything but positve about the effect the event has had on how ANZAC Day is seen.

Self indulgent crap.

 

[hoianbulldog]

I don't recall Geelong playing in Dreamtime at the G. Keep dreaming.

4 points.

 

[Evolved1]

4 points.

Yeah, I'll see myself out.

 

[ApplecrossWC]

Essendon have proved they will exploit their players so it's not surprising they love exploiting the memory of the ANZACs.

 

[Evolved1]

Essendon have proved they will exploit their players so it's not surprising they love exploiting the memory of the ANZACs.

North only wishes they could exploit players, but nobody will take the bait.

It's funny because it's true.

 

[Andronicus]

Essendon have proved they will exploit their players so it's not surprising they love exploiting the memory of the ANZACs.

Be happy that you got to exploit the bombers ability to draw a crowd last week.

I'm sure it helped the struggling finances.

 

[Evolved1]

Be happy that you got to exploit the bombers ability to draw a crowd last week.

I'm sure it helped the struggling finances.

We're a charitable club.

 

[bigfarter]

If Essendon and Collingwood don't kick the football on Anzac Day, the Digger ghosts will haunt the MCG. Every dollar made on that day is a stopper of the GHOSTS.

 

[Aramis]

2 biggest Melbourne clubs. I guess it's the closest thing Victorians have to a real derby.

At least we don't know who will win this one.

 

[Whiskers]

RedVest4 I have a thread for you on the Bay where you can air your grievances.

Seriously though, it's a big deal because there's history between the clubs which includes some connection to the ANZAC history. I guess these two sides were chosen to represent the day for the AFL because they have this history and more importantly can bring in huge crowds.

It’s only about the crowds.
Most clubs during WW1 pulled out of the competition due to patriotic grounds whilst the inner city teams Collingwood, Richmond, Carlton And Fitzroy put football 1st.

The state war council had to get there own supervisors to oversee these clubs fund raising after not giving a significant portion of money to the patriotic funds.

I don’t really think Collingwood is the ideal representative for Anzac Day. But hey Sheedy knows what gets the crowds.