- The AFL has held official Anzac matches since 1995.
- That has since expanded to include all games and the NRL.
- Calls have been launched to scrap Anzac commemorations.
There are calls for the iconic rendition of The Last Post to be removed from AFL games because it has become a “gimmick” that is losing its value.
Old rivals Collingwood and Essendon have dueled in the annual Anzac Day match at the MCG since 1995.
He was the brainchild of then Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy, who had also served in the Australian Army during his playing days at Richmond.
The first match attracted 94,825 football fans, a figure that remains the second largest home and away attendance in VFL/AFL history.
It’s a game that typically sells out well in advance and is an iconic moment in the AFL calendar.
The AFL’s annual Anzac Day match between Essendon and Collingwood has been a fixture since 1995 after former Bombers coach Kevin Sheedy suggested it.
The Last Post bugle call has become an iconic part of the commemoration of fallen soldiers before the AFL Anzac Day match
Since 1995, commemorations and replays of The Last Post have expanded to all AFL matches played throughout the round.
However, since 1995, the Anzac Day match has expanded into an Anzac Round, with all teams paying tribute to fallen soldiers in rituals before each round match.
It has also expanded into the NRL, with the Sydney Roosters and St. George Illawarra Dragons playing for the Anzac Day Cup since 2002.
The New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm have also played on Anzac Day since 2009, with the exception of 2015, when the Kiwis hosted the Gold Coast Titans to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli Landings.
Before each of these games in the AFL and NRL, The Last Post bugle is played to honor fallen soldiers.
Which has led radio host Greg ‘Marto’ Martin from Brisbane’s Triple M Breakfast with Marto, Margaux & Dan to call for The Last Post to be removed from all AFL games except the annual encounter between Essendon and Collingwood.
“Football has now become [The Last Post] in a trick,” he said.
Traditional Anzac Day clash between Magpies and Bombers routinely sells out
Anzac Day party has expanded to include live music and party atmosphere at the MCG
The NRL has also extended its Anzac Day commemorations to the entire round with The Last Post played before each match.
“In 1995, when Kevin Sheedy, the Essendon coach, said, ‘Let’s have an Anzac Day clash at the MCG,’ I think that’s the most… chilling three minutes or so.” Marto continued.
‘97,000 at the MCG…not a single person shouts while the game is being played and the honor they give to all serving soldiers and returning soldiers is quite extraordinary.’
“But now what’s happened, as always happens in football, and I’m not just talking about AFL but rugby league, they’ve taken something wonderful and said, ‘Oh, that’s good.’ .’
Margaux said: ‘How can we profit!’
Marto said: ‘So what’s going to happen this week in the eight AFL games and the eight rugby league games… each of them will play this? [The Last Post] and you’ll get ANZAC, you’ll get clarion fatigue.’
“We have to stop it somewhere.”
Margaux said: “It becomes saturated, so it loses its value.”
“Everyone thinks they’re doing the right thing, but all they do is make a mockery of it.”
New franchises in both the AFL and NRL have also adopted Anzac Day commemorations.
The AFL has confirmed that all nine round seven matches will hold special Anzac observance ceremonies before each match.
Anzac Appeal badges will be available for purchase at select matches for fans to show their support for the RSL’s Anzac Appeal and those who have served.
“Anzac Day is one of our country’s most important national occasions, so I encourage all fans attending matches during the round to arrive early to enjoy the pre-match atmosphere and formalities, which without “will no doubt be another moving tribute to our country’s sacrifices.” Service men and women past and present,” said AFL Commercial General Manager Peta Webster.