My ANZAC rant !!

Eastern · Post: # 730228Post **Eastern** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:08pm

I must say from the outset that I respect the ANZAC tradition and what it stands for (outside football). I am firmly of the belief that this game should be shared around between ALL Clubs on a rotating basis

The ANZAC day game (that some call a tradition) between Collingwood & Essendon each year is the result of a group of commercial whores who sold their souls to the highest bidder. Those involved at the time included Allan McAllister (Coll Pres), Kevin Sheedy, Bruce Ruxton (RSL Pres) and the entire executive of the AFL.

This game now Netts BOTH Clubs in excess of $1Mill each & every year, with other clubs only being thrown a morsel when ANZAC Day falls on the weekend

Collingwood & Essendon are the ONLY clubs permitted to use the ANZAC logo on their jumpers. All of these jumpers are later sold off to the highest bidder.

Collingwood & Essendon players are the only players in the AFL who can win the ANZAC Medal. We play for the Peter Babco Medal. This guy was a worthy recipient of the VC but the only reason his name is attached to that medal is because he was a South Australian. Perhaps the Medal in his honour should be played for on ANZAC Day between Adelaide & Port Adelaide

It is my belief that the AFL, and in particular Dimitriou refuse to change this because they have taken the "Commercial Whore" philosophy to a new level. Remember, his $1.6Mill salary package is incentive based and this game guarantees a large chunk of his bonus. I believe that this is an event and that there are many combinations of clubs who would attract a 90,000+ crowd on ANZAC Day

Until the AFL adopts the ANZAC spirit/philosophy of a fair go for all, mediocrity in the form of Collingwood & Essendon will be rewarded by "Commercial Whores".

.....................End of Rant !!

degruch · Post: # 730235Post **degruch** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:16pm

I've heard supporters from just about every other club say exactly the same thing - you're absolutely right. The 'tradition' of this game is only 14 years old, previous links were tenuous at best. It's a pat on the back for two clubs who need no charity and certainly don't deserve the right to be the only clubs in the comp to play on ANZAC Day...it's not as if Collingwood and Essendon played on ANZAC Cove beach 25th April 1915!

PS: Isn't this Opposition Forum material?

kaos theory · Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:18pm

The solution is simple:

- Give the ANZAC day game to the two best performing vic clubs from the previous season.

Therefore the hawks & cats would have played off today, and they would have drawn a full house too.

The claim that these two 'invented' the concept is a BS arguement.

North were the main team that pushed firday night football, yet they don't get any special preferential treatment for getting firday night games.

Because they had a close game today they will all crow about the tradition.

Like other teams don't have close games

Before today, the previous 10 years have been boring games anyway...

Agree Eastern is a scam that supports these two teams and excludes others...so much for the ANZAC spirit....

Armoooo · Post: # 730249Post **Armoooo** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:34pm

I don't see the controversy over Anzac day matches...

Unless two of the big 4 clubs are involved it's not going to be a very big match.

or example if we played Essendon or Collingwood today we wouldn't have gotten over 60k...

Who cares, let them have it.

Sainternist · Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:35pm

I agree!

It seems so contrived that Collingwood and Essendon are the only teams which are representative of the ANZAC tradition.

How did it come about that those two clubs reserved the rights anyway?

kaos theory · Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:38pm

or example if we played Essendon or Collingwood today we wouldn't have gotten over 60k...

Disagree, becasue the game is built up through the weeks leading up to it. Its not regarded as a standard game. As I said its played off between the two best vic clubs from the previous yr.

but I'm not holding my breadth for any change...

saintm · Post: # 730257Post **saintm** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:43pm

I would be interested to know if other clubs push to play on ANZAC Day when they put in their preferences for the draw or if they take it as given that Collingwood and Essendon will play plus perhaps an interstate game depending on when ANZAC Day falls.

Was listening to the ABC pre-game today and the two alternatives they offered were last year's grand finalists playing, (although Stephen Reilly (?) from the Australian seemed to think that the AFL is trying to establish a first round clash tradition for them) or a draw which was flexible enough to enable the top two teams, this year St Kilda and Geelong, to play.

Was in the car and only half listening but I think the example they gave was rugby where the fixtures are determined six weeks out.

Enrico_Misso · Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:53pm

James Hird was a much better player than Rober Harvey.

Because Hird won three Anzac day medals.
Whereas Harvey has none.

Schillaci · Post: # 730264Post **Schillaci** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:53pm

Agree that it is totally unfair that Essendon and Collingwood have ANZAC day to themselves unless it falls on the weekend.
With each passing year it is easier for the AFL to keep it as is and throw out the tradition line.
Would like to think that it is rotated amongst the other clubs on a most deserving basis from the point of view of team success the previous year and crowd attendances.

Enrico_Misso · Sat 25 Apr 2009 6:57pm

In 1994 we played Richmond on Anzac day - Monday afternoon at Waverley.

This cr@p that it belongs to Essendon and Collingwood is rubbish.
It is just those clubs manipulating the draw to suit themselves.

Saints43 · Post: # 730281Post **Saints43** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 7:16pm

Why do Collingwood play on Anzac day when they are one of four teams who did not disband during the whole of the Great War where the Anzac legend was born?

In 1916 Collingwood were in the competition while six other teams did not field teams while their brave young were men in the trenches.

Collingwood bravely won the premiership in 1917.

battye · Post: # 730288Post **battye** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 7:21pm

A tradition has to start somewhere. Why not let have Essendon and Collingwood have it - they have proven they can draw massive crowds. Good on them for it too, they had the initiative to turn it into a big event, they deserve the rewards.

TimeToShineFellas · Sat 25 Apr 2009 7:26pm

Seriously!

imo ANZAC Day is the most important day of the year in terms of acknowledging sacrifices made by our predecessors. An AFL game is irrelevant - regardless who plays.

If Eastern, as you say it was about commercial whores who got the day, then why didnt OUR board try harder to get the day as ours? (God knows you love a conspiracy theory but rarely get it right anyway!)

It's more about mateship and realising what all returned service personnel did - seriously who cares who plays - we should be thankful we can still play it - as opposed to not being able to play on a Good Friday when it offends Christians (what an crock!)

Funny thing about footy on the ANZAC Day round - the last post still gets played the day before or after the event. Sickens me really - its a sacred day (my dad served in Vietnam at Vung Tao and I am glad he came home - so is Mum - it's their 39th wedding anniverary today)

I don't give a stuff who plays - Collingwood and Essendon - good luck to them. Personally I'd rather see none of the boys ever win an ANZAC Day medal - Rather see 22 of the boys wearing PREMIERSHIP medallions!

ace · Post: # 730296Post **ace** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 7:29pm

Nice to know that I am not the only person who thinks the AFL is corrupt.

ace · Post: # 730298Post **ace** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 7:32pm

Why can't the Saints play Collingwood on Good Friday.
I would enjoy seeing Colling Wood nailed on that day.
Malthouse could then complain about how he was crucified.

Iceman234 · Post: # 730299Post **Iceman234** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 7:33pm

The Last Post is actually one part of a "series" of bugle calls which commemorate various stages of each day, not just ANZAC day.

TimeToShineFellas · Sat 25 Apr 2009 7:38pm

Yes I know that Iceman - I recognise what the Last Post is for, but we aren't in a war.

And to think that people want a Public Holiday on a weekday if ANZAC Day falls on a weekend - is just wrong

Iceman234 · Post: # 730310Post **Iceman234** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 7:46pm

Personally I don't have any issue with it being played before each game during the ANZAC round - a great sign of respect and remembrance.

And agree totally with the public holidays comment.

matrix · Post: # 730340Post **matrix** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 8:45pm

two grand finalists from last year play the saturday...
plus port v crows, freo v eagles, brisbane v swans
other teams worked out depending on the first line suggestion

when the gold coast come in they can play brisbane
when west sydney

come in they can then play the swans

share the money around a bit FFS

an anzac day interstate showdown between the perth and adelaide sides would draw huge crowds and would really add that bit more oomph to the already strong rivalries they have with each other.
id go to port v crows anzac fri nite clash or sunday match just for the atmosphere.

Armoooo · Post: # 730341Post **Armoooo** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 8:52pm

matrixcutter wrote:two grand finalists from last year play the saturday...
plus port v crows, freo v eagles, brisbane v swans
other teams worked out depending on the first line suggestion

when the gold coast come in they can play brisbane
when west sydney come in they can then play the swans

share the money around a bit FFS

an anzac day interstate showdown between the perth and adelaide sides would draw huge crowds and would really add that bit more oomph to the already strong rivalries they have with each other.
id go to port v crows anzac fri nite clash or sunday match just for the atmosphere.

Why? Who decided that Anzac weekend is a blockbuster match, I strongly believe it's the teams that have made it a blockbuster, not the occasion.

kosifantutti23 · Sat 25 Apr 2009 8:54pm

There's one big game at the MCG this year that neither of those two will come close to.

Let them have their April grand final.

matrix · Post: # 730345Post **matrix** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 8:58pm

Armoooo wrote:
matrixcutter wrote:two grand finalists from last year play the saturday...
plus port v crows, freo v eagles, brisbane v swans
other teams worked out depending on the first line suggestion

when the gold coast come in they can play brisbane
when west sydney come in they can then play the swans

share the money around a bit FFS

an anzac day interstate showdown between the perth and adelaide sides would draw huge crowds and would really add that bit more oomph to the already strong rivalries they have with each other.
id go to port v crows anzac fri nite clash or sunday match just for the atmosphere.
Why? Who decided that Anzac weekend is a blockbuster match, I strongly believe it's the teams that have made it a blockbuster, not the occasion.

why?
because thats my opinion... thats why

3rd generation saint · Sat 25 Apr 2009 11:42pm

I remember when it was the Anzac tradition to play two games, one at the MCG the other at Waverley and regardless who played, you got big crowds.

If the first game these two played had been one sided affair, it probably would have fallen flat on it's face.

I barely watch the game, because I am so over seeing these two teams over and over and over again, especially as they are both mediocre sides right now.

It just adds to the lop sided draw that ensures the filth don't travel, get an easy draw to improve their chances to lose more finals.

gooner · Post: # 730400Post **gooner** » Sat 25 Apr 2009 11:55pm

The whole Anzac link to footy thing gets on my tits to be honest.
The amount of players and coaches (even Ross unfortunately) tying the two together with a "play in the spirit of the Anzacs" twaddle is a real crock.
We are talking about war ladies and gentlemen. This is not a game.
Today I saw a photo of Andrew Lovett (last years Anzac medalist) holding his medal next to an ex-serviceman holding his medals. How you can compare the two I don't know.
Please remember, when anyone mentions the Anzac spirit in regards to a game of footy they aint even coming close. Sacrificing yourself on the field of the MCG is not the same thing as giving your life for your country (or the King and Empire as most of those at Gallipoli were).

To the top · Post: # 730424Post **To the top** » Sun 26 Apr 2009 1:16am

Who played today?

Spent the day with some others who, along with me, survived having their birth date drawn from a barrel by the Liberal Party.

We just go off by ourselves and remember those conscripted with us who died, at just 20 years of age, in absolute fear, in Vietnam - and we commit to those who are physically and/or mentally impaired by what having their birth date drawn from a barrel by the Liberal Party inflicted upon them, and still does.

And we still ask why.

43 years later.

It is a day for reflection.

It is a day for learning.

It is a day for commitment to whatever needs to be done to ensure my sons (and yours) and their future generations do not have to endure what we did, and others did before us in conflicts where young people lost their lives before they had a chance to live them.

Our elected leaders owe us far more than World Wars, and Korea, and Vietnam, and Iraq and Afghanistan and the rest of the conflicts accross our globe they can not resolve on behalf of the human race.

Thank goodness we have had generational change in the USA and in Australia because the entrenched prejudices which have caused the problems we see need to be recognised for what they are - the political tools of divisive politics, political tools and divisive politics which cost our youth their lives.

And it is a day for anger.

Believe you me, it is a day for anger.