Good evening and welcome to ABC’s coverage of the Anzac Day Eve match between Richmond and Melbourne at the MCG.
This match has been an occasion for less than a decade, but it has already established itself as one of the set-piece matches of the season, thanks to the atmosphere and ceremonies that are part of the night.
Once again, the Eternal Flame of the Shrine of Remembrance will be used to light a torch, and that torch will illuminate the MCG during tonight’s game.
As with all games in this round, the Ode to the Fallen, the Last Post, the anthems of New Zealand and Australia will be heard, honoring as always those who fought and gave their lives in conflicts over the years.
Beyond that, there will be the football itself: an intriguing showdown between two clubs that have won four of the last eight flags, but now find themselves at different ends of the ladder.
Thank you for joining us for the show, the quiz and the big moments under the lights at the MCG.