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

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Why change a winning formula?

If this game struggled to attract 50,000, then yes, change it. But why would you change it when its successful?

It would be stupid.

Smart businesses don't mess with a winning product.
Just proved my original point. Cheers pal.
 

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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 up to all clubs to create their own marquee occasions. Part of that is marketing, another is the clubs buying into the occasion and helping it to grow. Yeah, on it's own Anzac Day is pretty monumental, and all 25 times both clubs have met hasn't always been a classic game.

Nevertheless, I can't really see a reason why not any other club can't follow Essendon and Collingwoods' lead with a bit of imagination. But, it doesn't happen overnight.
 

Bayer_

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Only on the most superficial level. Reading eyewitness accounts of the Somme shows that the reality of WWI was nothing like footy.

That aside, it's a game with a great finals atmosphere which is fun to watch
Correct. While there are certainly parallels between war and sport (strategies, playing your role, doing things for your comrades), the fundamental nature of risking your life, becoming physically and mentally scarred, and often dying, all for a duty to your country, is completely different to being paid a fortune to chase a piece of leather.
 

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I love watching Essendon v Collingwood on Anzac Day only because the players treat it like actual warfare and when they get interviewed afterwards they talk about how they were in the trenches with their teammates out on the field for a couple of hours.
“It was just like dodging the German machine gun nest and getting trench foot. Just happy to get the four points”.
 

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