GAME DAY - Anzac Eve Game vs Tigers

[Lucifers Hero 40,564]

Not sure which thread to put this so mods please merge somewhere if you wish.

Thought it was worth highlighting the significance of this game for us. Story in todays's HS http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ron-barassi-to-light-flame-at-mcg-before-richmond-melbourne-anzac-day-eve-clash/story-fni5f22o-1227312458012?from=herald%20sun_rss

Just reading this was spine tingling:

"The eternal flame at the Shrine of Remembrance will be used to light a torch which will be ridden to the stadium by the Creswick Light Horse Troop. After a lap of the ground, the torch will be handed to Barassi who will light a cauldron on an MCG stage to burn for the duration of the match...The Friday night crowd will become a part of the pre-match ceremony with 50,000 finger lights to be distributed and held aloft in silence, in memory of those who served Australia in armed conflict. Players from both sides will line up near the flame alongside returned service men and women for the playing of the Last Post and National Anthem."

It seems such a dignified way to honour the occasion without the commercialism that often accompanies the ANZAC Day game.

MFC/RFC hope the ANZAC Eve game will become an annual tradition for both teams. It has the support of the RSL and the Shrine of Remembrance.

All it needs is for the fans to turn up! Hope to drag a few extra Dee fans there this week. Oh, and our membership card shows entry is free for all members.

Footnote: a few months ago there had been talk of a Checker Hughes cup/medallion because of his history at both clubs. Didn't see anything about that so idea may have been shelved. Like that. Keeps the event purely about honouring the ANZAC's without shining glory on a player or team. And what a great photo in the article.

Notice how quickly that photo found its way into my profile

[jane02 3,784]

That sounds like it will be a moving experience. I will definitely be there with my family. I usually avoid Friday night footy as its the end of the working week and

its a rush to get there etc, etc but for this occasion I will make an exception.

Go Dees.

[Lucifers Hero 40,564]

Just heard Brendan Gale interviewed on SEN and he suggested people arrive before 7.15 as that is when the ceremony starts.

RFC link http://www.richmondfc.com.au/news/2015-04-21/richmond-and-melbourne-to-honour-wartime-history

[DistrACTION Jackson 10,423]

I will be leaving work at 5:30 on the dot!

[Mickey 4,757]

I'll be there with about 6 mates. Will be a great experience

[Pates 9,688]

I might try to drag a few others along to this match, I made sure I was able to go to this match a long way in advance. This will be my first game for the year, really glad it's this one.

Sounds like they are really trying to do this in a dignified way.

Side note: I'm sure the banner people have already made their plans, but would there be a way of perhaps having all the names of the MFC players who lost their lives in service to be on the banner/honoured in another way.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 17,072]

I like that some effort is being put into the event and not just keeping it as a bog-standard Friday night game. Well done to those at Melbourne and Richmond for putting some effort into it. I find it especially pleasing that Ron Barassi is involved, not just because of his father's service to his country, but because this is a Richmond home game and it would have been understandable if it were a person linked to Richmond who was to be given this honour.

[Seraph 1,824]

It's going to be a massive game.

A bit disappointed I couldn't reserve tickets in the Olympic stand (even on level 4) but will still be going.

I expect 60,000 there as it's a Richmond home game, Hopefully there's plenty of our own there to make some noise as well.

[beelzebub 23,390]

Its good to see us front and center ( ok top ) of the front page of the little one depicting honourable ideals and us in a good light.

[Gorgoroth 13,188]

Is the start of the game 7:40?

[Lucifers Hero 40,564]

Is the start of the game 7:40?

Game starts at 7.50.

Anzac ceremony starts at 7.15

[Sir Why You Little 37,342]

30 MFC Players gave their lives for Australian Life

Play to honour them Demons...

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

Story in todays's HS http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ron-barassi-to-light-flame-at-mcg-before-richmond-melbourne-anzac-day-eve-clash/story-fni5f22o-1227312458012?from=herald%20sun_rss

Just reading this was spine tingling:

"The eternal flame at the Shrine of Remembrance will be used to light a torch which will be ridden to the stadium by the Creswick Light Horse Troop. After a lap of the ground, the torch will be handed to Barassi who will light a cauldron on an MCG stage to burn for the duration of the match...The Friday night crowd will become a part of the pre-match ceremony with 50,000 finger lights to be distributed and held aloft in silence, in memory of those who served Australia in armed conflict. Players from both sides will line up near the flame alongside returned service men and women for the playing of the Last Post and National Anthem."

I'm very excited about this match and hope it will become an annual feature. Should be a brilliant atmosphere and you would imagine both sides will be going in pretty hard.

Im flying down for it and if I see you Satry I'll buy you a beer for all the pre-season training reports.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

I think it's a great idea to have Melbourne and Richmond playing on Anzac Day eve and it should be done each year, massive out for Richmond in Brett Deledio, I think it was mentioned after he was suspended that Richmond have only won two games out of the nine games Deledio has missed, great news for the dees...

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

I think it's a great idea to have Melbourne and Richmond playing on Anzac Day eve and it should be done each year, massive out for Richmond in Brett Deledio, I think it was mentioned after he was suspended that Richmond have only won two games out of the nine games Deledio has missed, great news for the dees...

is Delidio confirmed not playing?

[What 18,810]

is Delidio confirmed not playing?

Not confirmed, but Hardwick did say it was unlikely

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Not confirmed, but Hardwick did say it was unlikely

did he play last year when we beat them?

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

is Delidio confirmed not playing?

"Richmond have confirmed he is unlikely to play" from the AFL app news...50-50 chance...

[Dee-licious 1,954]

RICHMOND is unsure when vice-captain Brett Deledio will be available to return from a persistent calf problem, with the All Australian unlikely to face Melbourne on Friday night.

Deledio was ruled out of last week's clash against the Brisbane Lions as he battled calf soreness, which resurfaced after he played in round one after an interrupted pre-season.

He was suspended for the Tigers' round two clash against the Western Bulldogs but would have missed that match in any case through injury.

Coach Damien Hardwick was hopeful last week the important veteran would be ready for Friday night's clash against the Demons, but he is now unlikely to return.

[SaberFang 7,151]

Fairly sure after the very well publicised treatment we gave Ablett and Danger, they wouldn't even be entertaining the idea of playing him if he's suffering soreness and we know where.

We might have lost against the Crows but Richmond definitely took note of our new-found physicality.

[What 18,810]

did he play last year when we beat them?

Yes and if my memory serves me correctly he was their best player

[Adzman 2,154]

Big out for them if he doesn't pull up. That said, Viney being out balances the scales. Tigers will be ready to go, dees need to be up for this one.

[T&W 38]

Fantastic idea and we have to thank the Tigers for partnering with us. Should be an awesome night and a great tribute to every soldier that has fought for the land of Oz.

Tigers have this game marked down as a danger game after last years slip up that cost them dearly at the end of the season - we had to travel to SA and watch them get smashed by 10 goals in the first quarter against Port. But Im must confess that was a memorable day, awesome atmosphere game was over by quarter time the Tigers faithful where in shock awesome day.

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

Big out for them if he doesn't pull up. That said, Viney being out balances the scales. Tigers will be ready to go, dees need to be up for this one.

Nothing against Viney, but I think Deledio offers more to the Tigers than what Viney does for us.

[Lucifers Hero 40,564]

Roos on ANZAC Eve Game: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-04-22/we-need-to-stand-up-on-big-stage-roos

“Being Anzac Day [eve], everyone wants to respect what’s happened before, but I’m certainly not one who draws analogies between football and war because they’re so far apart – they’re ridiculous,” he said.“You want to show in your own way [the respect to] the people who gave their lives and served in the wars and what that meant for Australia. “I think that’s a big part of the weekend for us.”

Would love to be a fly on the wall when Roos gives his pre-game address to the players, to know how he motivates them.