Oracle of Delphi
KC Hill
Paladin
Craig HillTime To Take Anzac Day Off Collingwood And Essendon
April 23rd 2007 13:48
If the AFL schedule was decided by who was doing something first, then the Kangaroos would be on TV a lot more on Friday nights. They are not, so as there has never been a reason why Anzac Day is the exclusive property of two specific teams then that should be addressed.
A Grand Final rematch from the previous season, played on the MCG for Anzac Day, would be a good game. But it would likely deprive an interstate team of a real home game, where they would have their own crowd and better financial results. It could also make it difficult to fill the MCG.
So if it is two Victorian teams at the MCG it is a lot fairer. But after the game is taken away from Essendon and Collingwood the question is who gets it, and some teams do not deserve it. Two teams who could be rewarded are the highest finishing Victorian teams from the previous season. But things could change from September to April, and it could end up being a game of 16th versus 11th.
A random draw, the last Victorian teams to win a Grand Final, the last two to play in one, two different rivals every year, the winner of the previous Anzac Day game taking on a new challenger, the teams being voted on by fans, the RSL choosing who plays, a coin flip, the two highest scoring teams from the previous year, a vote by members of the Australian military, a poll of the AFL coaches, there are lots of ways to come up with a set of rules to say which two teams will be privileged to play on Anzac Day.
Here is the idea, it will reward those who are most important to the games, the fans. Officially take the game off Essendon and Collingwood. Then it will be up to the fans to decide if their team plays in the Anzac Day game. The two teams in Victoria which have the highest membership totals should be rewarded with the big game in April.
There it is, no longer will Essendon and Collingwood have ownership of the Anzac Day game. It will be open to all teams in Victoria. It could persuade more members to sign up for all Victorian teams. When everything is added up the teams will be announced. Of course, right now the highest membership totals would mean a game between Essendon and Collingwood.
A Grand Final rematch from the previous season, played on the MCG for Anzac Day, would be a good game. But it would likely deprive an interstate team of a real home game, where they would have their own crowd and better financial results. It could also make it difficult to fill the MCG.
So if it is two Victorian teams at the MCG it is a lot fairer. But after the game is taken away from Essendon and Collingwood the question is who gets it, and some teams do not deserve it. Two teams who could be rewarded are the highest finishing Victorian teams from the previous season. But things could change from September to April, and it could end up being a game of 16th versus 11th.
A random draw, the last Victorian teams to win a Grand Final, the last two to play in one, two different rivals every year, the winner of the previous Anzac Day game taking on a new challenger, the teams being voted on by fans, the RSL choosing who plays, a coin flip, the two highest scoring teams from the previous year, a vote by members of the Australian military, a poll of the AFL coaches, there are lots of ways to come up with a set of rules to say which two teams will be privileged to play on Anzac Day.
Here is the idea, it will reward those who are most important to the games, the fans. Officially take the game off Essendon and Collingwood. Then it will be up to the fans to decide if their team plays in the Anzac Day game. The two teams in Victoria which have the highest membership totals should be rewarded with the big game in April.
There it is, no longer will Essendon and Collingwood have ownership of the Anzac Day game. It will be open to all teams in Victoria. It could persuade more members to sign up for all Victorian teams. When everything is added up the teams will be announced. Of course, right now the highest membership totals would mean a game between Essendon and Collingwood.
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Comment by David
I'm a Carlton supporter, but I'd prefer they left the Anzac day clash just like it is ... Essendon vs Collingwood ...
It's become an annual event that I look forward to ... They rarely ever disappoint, these games ...
Mal Michael made an interesting point, in that, the atmosphere was better than GF day ... (And if anyone would know, he would ... [There's a lot in that statement of his that the AFL should consider ...
Plus there's
enoughtoo many changes as it is ... At least leave something that's working alone ...David ...
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Sports Insider
Wayne Carey suggested the Kangaroos play Collingwood, just reporting what he said. In 1995 if the Anzac Day game tradition was started between Essendon and Richmond it would have also been a success that year, they had some great games around that time. Collingwood and Carlton would have worked too.
There are plenty of reasons to keep it, but in a fair competition there are plenty of reasons to share it around. Or at least to have the chance it is shared around, as the idea of the teams with the two most members would mean Collingwood and Essendon should be playing for the next few years.
Thank you for your comments.
Comment by Anonymous
I suppose if Richmond played on ANZAC day, their carnage may resemble those from the battlefields of war.
But you kind of answered your own question. Nobody deserves to play this match more than Essendon and Collingwood do. They started this magnificent tradition. They have made it what it is. Go make your own!!!!!