Every year on April 25, Australians celebrate Anzac Day with profound emotional reverence. They honor men and women who have bravely defended our country across multiple wars and conflicts. This year’s gonna be different, though! It marks the 30th edition of the Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon, two of the league’s most storied clubs. Tens of thousands of fans are about to make the same pilgrimage, converging on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). They’ll transform the entire venue into a kaleidoscope of black, white, red and black!
It has been a beacon of Australian culture for 30 years. More importantly, it brings the community together to pay tribute and remember. The day is rife with solemn observances that pay appropriate homage to our heroes. Laurence Binyon’s poem The Fallen, the Last Post, a minute’s silence to remember the sacrifice of Australians who have served in wartime.
A Historic Ceremony
The Anzac Day ceremony at the MCG begins with an emotional joint run-through of the banner. Opposing players join together to honor her memory. This deed is a powerful gesture of goodwill, showing respect and understanding between rivals, and is a true demonstration of conveying what Anzac Day is all about. The ambience is truly electric, as fans wait with bated breaths. They pay tribute to those who valiantly defended our country in conflicts from Japan to Afghanistan.
After the ceremony, it’s the match itself that becomes a focal point of remembrance. When Collingwood and Essendon come together, it is more than a match. It’s the largest of its kind on the AFL calendar, behind only the finals themselves. The significance of this annual clash extends beyond sport, as it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans throughout history.
As the crowd gathers, emotions run high. The MCG will be filled with passionate supporters anticipating an intense rivalry match on the pitch. They are just as keen, too, to witness a celebration that’s grown into a deeply embedded feature of Australian sporting life.
Commemorating Service and Sacrifice
Anzac Day has become the most important national occasion to commemorate veterans from many other theatres of war. Australians commemorate those courageous Australians who have died in service of their country. They’ve learned through the conflicts from Korea and Vietnam, to the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. So to have a solemn day made meaningful by the collective work of both teams to shine that special light on those heroes.
Beyond the match itself, major community events surrounding Anzac Day have grown in recent years. Each match played over that round has an aspect of memorialization. This new initiative will let fans from all over Australia participate in this national day of recognition. More Australians are joining together than ever before to play sport. This growing, collaborative movement better illustrates the ways in which sports can pay tribute to the noble sacrifices of our courageous servicemen and women.
Last year’s battle ended in a titanic tie. Zach Merrett was awarded the Anzac Day medal for his best on ground display. This year, the enthusiasm is off the charts as both teams head into the highly anticipated semifinal matchup! Fans will be hoping to catch the inaugural presentation of the Arthur Leggett Medal, given to the match’s best-on-ground player. As a tribute to longtime supporter WWII veteran Arthur Leggett, this new accolade closes the distance between the event and its namesake—infusing even more meaning into it.
A Day of Reflection and Community
As fans settle into their seats at the MCG, they will be about to witness a game steeped in honour and commemoration. The Anzac Day clash has become a cherished tradition that highlights both sporting rivalry and deep respect for those who served. In recent years, this observance has evolved into a broader celebration that transcends football, emphasizing community connection and shared values.
After Collingwood-Essendon, all eyes will be on Perth as the Len Hall Tribute Game clashes Fremantle with Adelaide. This second tribute further lengthens the day’s importance, making sure that remembrance is imbued in every facet of the football calendar.
