http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2014/04/22/magpies-deserve-play-anzac-day/

It is a true disgrace the MFC is not represented on Anzac day.

But the AFL has no integrity so i am not suprised. The situation with scalping for tickets in todays press with Vlad saying "it is too hard" is so wrong.

Time to go Fat Boy.

It is a true disgrace the MFC is not represented on Anzac day.

But the AFL has no integrity so i am not suprised. The situation with scalping for tickets in todays press with Vlad saying "it is too hard" is so wrong.

Time to go Fat Boy.

he is, at seasons end.

he is, at seasons end.

I know. But it should be sooner.

Considering Vlad has gone to great efforts to keep the MFC sustainable and functioning, I wouldn't be so quick to wish of his demise.

But yes, ANZAC Day game is a joke/.

Edited April 22, 201411 yr by Cudi_420

so typical to see the AFL let the disgusting essendon drug cheats continue to play on this day

what a disgrace

I agree the monopolisation of ANZAC Day by Pies/Bombers is a joke - a lot of kids these days don't even know that games were played on the day before 1995 or that clubs other than these two were involved. Melbourne played the Bombers in 1992 and the Pies in 1991 on ANZAC Day from memory. People make the argument that these clubs "deserve" it because of "all they have done for the day" which is such utter nonsense. In reality it was a perfect storm that came together in 1995 that resulted in a sellout MCG crowd (first time this had happened for a looong time) and a drawn game.

The article is spot on on a number of fronts but I don't like the way it equates volume of deaths in war to a clubs rights to the day. It's not a point scoring contest and to do so diminishes the real message of ANZAC Day, that war is futile. Not that the more lives you sacrifice the more honorable you are.

In light of the arguments about footy on Good Friday I find it amazing that no one bats an eyelid at footy on ANZAC Day. ANZAC Day has a much greater argument to be footy free and full of solemnity than Good Friday does even if I hate the way it has been co-opted by the ultra-nationalists into a day to glorify war and a reason to revel in blind patriotism. I am opposed to the military as anything other than a "defense" force, I hate patriotism and ultra-nationalism and jingoism and chest-thumping makes me cringe. But if we were to respect ANZAC Day as the day of rememberance it should be and not a day to celebrate war and nationalism I would be all for it.

Edited April 22, 201411 yr by Dr. Gonzo

While this article is a fantastic insight into the history of the ANZACs, I'm not sure I agree with its conclusion that ANZAC Day football should only involve whatever club "sacrificed" the most in World War I. By this article's logic, every club should play on Anzac Day because that would maximise the representation of clubmen who died in the war.

Even if you admit to the impracticalities of putting every club on the same day--ignoring of course that this is how the game was marketed in the days before and after the War--simply using World War I as the metric for the team you consider "most deserving" would disrespect all the other Diggers who have sacrificed all or part of their lives for this country. There have been many wars since our landing at Gallipoli, and they deserve to be remembered too.

The fact is that it is now tradition for Collingwood and Essendon to play on ANZAC Day. Sometimes you need to respect tradition, regardless of the motivations behind that tradition's inception. Otherwise it will be open season for everyone who feels they have a claim to some part of our culture--whether it be ANZAC Day or Good Friday or anything else for that matter--to co-opt it in order to serve their own interests.

I think it is unwise for Melbourne supporters to bemoan the Collingwood-Essendon ANZAC Day 'tradition'. It has more going for it than the Collingwood-Melbourne Queen's Birthday 'tradition'. Be careful what you wish for.

I think it is unwise for Melbourne supporters to bemoan the Collingwood-Essendon ANZAC Day 'tradition'. It has more going for it than the Collingwood-Melbourne Queen's Birthday 'tradition'. Be careful what you wish for.

Realistically I think both should be done away with if we are to get a fair draw implemented.

I don't see why the club doesn't campaign harder for an ANZAC night clash against Sydney at the SCG.

I think it is unwise for Melbourne supporters to bemoan the Collingwood-Essendon ANZAC Day 'tradition'. It has more going for it than the Collingwood-Melbourne Queen's Birthday 'tradition'. Be careful what you wish for.

That game is our institutionalised welfare that we should do away with in our quest for equalisation of the game.

I don't see why the club doesn't campaign harder for an ANZAC night clash against Sydney at the SCG.

We did, it lasted 1 year I think and then was moved to just being ANZAC round rather than ANZAC Day (night). It disappeared altogether for a couple of years and is back this year but again on ANZAC round rather than the day itself. With the New Zealand game now following the Pies/Bombers game it's unlikely it will happen again.

That game is our institutionalised welfare that we should do away with in our quest for equalisation of the game.

as long as it is after equalisation of the fixture

That game is our institutionalised welfare that we should do away with in our quest for equalisation of the game.

I agree but not to our own detriment. There's no point being a martyr but we should be on the front foot getting it out there that we are willing to give up the yearly game if the AFL is willing to institute a fair draw, either rolling draw, 17 game season or draw based on pervious years ladder (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th playing return game etc). This won't happen though so until it does we would be stupid to give it up. It will just mean we probably play all 8 non-Vic sides at home instead of just the 7 we get this year.

as long as it is after equalisation of the fixture

I agree but not to our own detriment. There's no point being a martyr but we should be on the front foot getting it out there that we are willing to give up the yearly game if the AFL is willing to institute a fair draw, either rolling draw, 17 game season or draw based on pervious years ladder (1st, 4th, 7th, 10th, 13th, 16th playing return game etc). This won't happen though so until it does we would be stupid to give it up. It will just mean we probably play all 8 non-Vic sides at home instead of just the 7 we get this year.

Of course it would be.

Fairer draw, a much more comprehensive FA/draft/trade system, and equalisation of merchandise, and match day revenue - these things would have to come in the next few years if the AFL wants to have a game that doesn't look like the EPL.

Of course it would be.

Fairer draw, a much more comprehensive FA/draft/trade system, and equalisation of merchandise, and match day revenue - these things would have to come in the next few years if the AFL wants to have a game that doesn't look like the EPL.

i notice you say "fairer draw" rather than "fair draw"

that leaves a lot of wriggle room

If we believe the Queen's Birthday game shouldn't continue to be a Melbourne-Collingwood event (and I think it should continue as it is fixtured, but we should do more with the day itself) then we should be strongly campaigning that any new 'blockbuster' timeslots such as, potentially, Good Friday, should not be locked away for two teams only.

GWS and Gold Coast are un-Australian for not providing any troops.

Edited April 23, 201411 yr by Supermercado

http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2014/04/22/magpies-deserve-play-anzac-day/

Some interesting detail in there, but the argument is class-riddled nonsense.

I think I heard or read somewhere that we might be playing St Kilda in NZ next year as part of the 100 year celebrations of Anzac Day.

While this article is a fantastic insight into the history of the ANZACs, I'm not sure I agree with its conclusion that ANZAC Day football should only involve whatever club "sacrificed" the most in World War I. By this article's logic, every club should play on Anzac Day because that would maximise the representation of clubmen who died in the war.

Even if you admit to the impracticalities of putting every club on the same day--ignoring of course that this is how the game was marketed in the days before and after the War--simply using World War I as the metric for the team you consider "most deserving" would disrespect all the other Diggers who have sacrificed all or part of their lives for this country. There have been many wars since our landing at Gallipoli, and they deserve to be remembered too.

The fact is that it is now tradition for Collingwood and Essendon to play on ANZAC Day. Sometimes you need to respect tradition, regardless of the motivations behind that tradition's inception. Otherwise it will be open season for everyone who feels they have a claim to some part of our culture--whether it be ANZAC Day or Good Friday or anything else for that matter--to co-opt it in order to serve their own interests.

Sure it is becoming "tradition" but I clearly remember SenileKev trumpeting after they played the fixture once to twice that it was "traditional"

Just as it is becoming "traditional" for the "big clubs" to monopolise the Friday night and Saturday night fixtures, creaming the revenue to the eternal detriment of the "lesser" clubs. Doesn't make it right.

The thought occurs to me, if Essendon had been punished for the 'bringing the game into disrepute' charge by having it's ANZAC Day fixture removed, there would have been a lot more stink and outrage, and it would have sent a much more potent message, than the twiddling with draft picks and fines.

I tend to agree, I am in favour of a more equitable draw for all clubs rather than artificial blockbusters featuring a select few clubs year after year. As for the blockbuster dates, I prefer that they become challenge games where the winner gets to host the blockbuster again the following season.The loser goes back into the queue to make way for next club in line to challenge.

Edited April 23, 201411 yr by america de cali

I tend to agree, I am in favour of a more equitable draw for all clubs rather than artificial blockbusters featuring a select few clubs year after year. As for the blockbuster dates, I prefer that they become challenge games where the winner gets to host the blockbuster again the following season.The loser goes back into the queue to make way for next club in line to challenge.

that's a better idea