There are few days on the Australian sporting calendar that command the same reverence, emotion, and sheer intensity as ANZAC Day. While the nation pauses to honour the service and sacrifice of our armed forces, the Australian Football League delivers a spectacle that has become synonymous with the occasion—the ANZAC Day match between Collingwood and Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
For footy fans, this is more than just a game. It is a ritual, a pilgrimage, and a moment of collective reflection wrapped in the fierce rivalry of two of the competition’s oldest clubs. The ANZAC Day match tradition, now firmly entrenched in the fabric of the AFL, represents the intersection of sport and national identity at its most profound.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore the origins, evolution, and enduring significance of the ANZAC Day match, examining why this fixture holds a unique place in Australian rules football and what it means for players, fans, and the broader community.
The Genesis of a Tradition
The ANZAC Day match did not emerge overnight. Its roots stretch back to the early years of the VFL, when football was used as a means of raising morale and funds during wartime. However, the specific tradition we know today began in earnest in 1995.
The 1995 Inaugural Match
The first official ANZAC Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon took place on 25 April 1995 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The concept was the brainchild of then-AFL Commission chairman Ross Oakley and former Essendon player and Vietnam veteran Kevin Sheedy, who recognised the potential for football to serve as a vehicle for remembrance.
The match drew a large crowd, underscoring the appetite for such an occasion. Essendon emerged victorious, but the result was secondary to the atmosphere. The playing of the Last Post, the minute’s silence, and the singing of the national anthem created a solemn yet celebratory tone that resonated deeply with the football public.
From One-Off to Annual Institution
The success of the 1995 match prompted the AFL to make it an annual fixture. By the early 2000s, the ANZAC Day match had become one of the highest-drawing home-and-away games of the season, regularly attracting large crowds. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, with its cavernous stands and hallowed turf, proved the perfect stage for this evolving tradition.
What began as a single match has since expanded into a broader ANZAC Day round, with multiple games scheduled across the day to maximise the opportunity for remembrance and celebration. Yet the Collingwood-Essendon clash remains the centrepiece—the fixture that carries the weight of history and expectation.
The Rituals That Define the Day
The ANZAC Day match is distinguished by a series of rituals that elevate it above a standard home-and-away fixture. These elements, carefully curated and consistently observed, create an atmosphere of solemnity and pride.
The Dawn Service and March
For many fans, ANZAC Day begins before sunrise. The Dawn Service at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, held in the members’ reserve, draws thousands who gather to honour the fallen. The service includes readings, hymns, and the playing of the Last Post, followed by a minute’s silence that echoes across the empty stands.
Later in the morning, the ANZAC Day march through Melbourne’s city centre sees veterans, current service personnel, and their families parade through the streets. The sight of ageing diggers in uniform, their medals glinting in the autumn sun, is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that the day commemorates.
The Match-Day Ceremony
As the crowd fills the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the pre-match ceremony unfolds with precision. The Last Post is played by a lone bugler, its haunting notes carrying across the stadium. The minute’s silence that follows is observed with absolute stillness—a rare moment of collective quiet in a venue known for its noise.
The national anthem is sung, often by a military choir or a notable Australian artist, and the teams run through a guard of honour formed by current and former service members. The coin toss is conducted by a veteran or a representative of the armed forces, adding a layer of significance to the formalities.
The Playing of the Match
Once the ball is bounced, the intensity of the contest reflects the occasion. Players speak of the heightened emotion, the sense of purpose, and the desire to honour those who have served. The ANZAC Day match has produced some of the most memorable moments in AFL history.
The match is played for the ANZAC Day Medal, awarded to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of the day—skill, courage, sportsmanship, and respect. Past winners include some of the game’s greats, each of whom has contributed to the lore of the fixture.
The Rivalry That Fuels the Flame
The choice of Collingwood and Essendon as the permanent participants in the ANZAC Day match was deliberate. Both clubs boast rich histories, passionate supporter bases, and a fierce rivalry that dates back to the early days of the VFL.
Collingwood Football Club
Founded in 1892, Collingwood is one of the most successful and recognisable clubs in Australian rules football. The Magpies have won multiple premierships and have a supporter base that spans generations. Their black-and-white guernsey is iconic, and their home ground, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, is where they play the majority of their marquee fixtures.
Collingwood’s involvement in the ANZAC Day match adds a layer of intensity. The club’s working-class roots and its reputation for never-say-die attitude align with the values of resilience and sacrifice that the day represents.
Essendon Football Club
Essendon, founded in 1872, is the oldest club in the AFL and has a proud tradition of success, with numerous premierships to its name. The Bombers wear a distinctive red and black guernsey and have a supporter base concentrated in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
Essendon’s connection to the ANZAC Day match is particularly strong, given Kevin Sheedy’s role in its creation. The club has embraced the occasion with fervour, and its players consistently speak of the honour of participating in the fixture.
The Essendon-Collingwood Rivalry
The rivalry between Essendon and Collingwood is one of the oldest and most bitter in Australian rules football. The two clubs have contested numerous memorable matches, including grand finals and preliminary finals, and their supporters share a mutual antipathy that adds spice to every encounter.
On ANZAC Day, however, the rivalry is tempered by a shared sense of purpose. The players compete with ferocity, but the occasion demands respect. The result matters, but it is not the only thing that matters. This balance—between competition and commemoration—is what makes the ANZAC Day match unique.
The Broader ANZAC Day Round
While the Collingwood-Essendon clash is the headline act, the ANZAC Day round has expanded to include multiple matches across the day. This allows more clubs and fans to participate in the tradition and ensures that the spirit of the day reaches a wider audience.
The Regional ANZAC Day Matches
In recent years, the AFL has scheduled ANZAC Day matches in other states, recognising the national significance of the occasion. Matches in Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney have drawn large crowds and have been well received by local fans.
The Western Australian ANZAC Day match, for example, has become a fixture in its own right, with Fremantle and West Coast facing off at Optus Stadium. The pre-match ceremonies in these venues mirror those at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the Last Post, minute’s silence, and national anthem observed with equal solemnity.
The Women’s ANZAC Day Match
The AFL Women’s competition has also embraced the ANZAC Day tradition, with matches scheduled on or around 25 April. The women’s ANZAC Day match has grown in prominence, reflecting the increasing profile of the AFLW and the desire to include all players in the commemoration.
The women’s matches feature the same rituals—the Last Post, the minute’s silence, and the guard of honour—and are played with the same intensity. The ANZAC Day Medal is also awarded in the women’s fixture, recognising the best player on the ground.
The ANZAC Day Medal: Criteria and Winners
The ANZAC Day Medal is awarded to the player who best exemplifies the spirit of the day. The criteria include skill, courage, sportsmanship, and respect—qualities that align with the values of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
How the Medal Is Awarded
The medal is voted on by a panel of former players, media representatives, and AFL officials. The voting is conducted after the match, with each panellist awarding three, two, and one votes. The player with the most votes receives the medal.
The ANZAC Day Medal is distinct from the best-on-ground award in a standard home-and-away match. It carries additional weight because of the occasion and the criteria, which emphasise character as much as performance.
Notable Winners
The list of ANZAC Day Medal winners includes many AFL greats. The inaugural winner in 1995 set the standard for those who followed. Other notable winners have produced performances that are still remembered for their courage and skill.
More recent winners include players who have won the medal on multiple occasions, as well as veterans who have won it later in their careers. Each winner has contributed to the lore of the fixture, adding their name to a list that grows more prestigious with every passing year.
The Impact on Players and Fans
The ANZAC Day match has a profound impact on those who participate in it, whether as players, fans, or officials. The occasion elicits emotions that are rarely felt in other matches, creating memories that last a lifetime.
Player Perspectives
Players consistently describe the ANZAC Day match as the most significant home-and-away fixture of the season. The pre-match ceremony, with its solemn rituals, sets a tone that is both humbling and inspiring. The knowledge that they are playing in front of veterans and current service personnel adds a sense of responsibility.
Many players speak of the heightened intensity of the contest. The physicality is greater, the pressure is more intense, and the desire to win is amplified. Yet there is also a sense of perspective—a recognition that the result, while important, is secondary to the act of remembrance.
Fan Experiences
For fans, the ANZAC Day match is a pilgrimage. The journey to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the gathering with friends and family, and the shared experience of the pre-match ceremony create a sense of community that transcends club allegiances.
The minute’s silence is a powerful moment. The silence that falls over a large crowd is almost palpable, a collective act of respect that unites the stadium. The subsequent roar as the ball is bounced is a release of emotion, a celebration of the game and the values it represents.
The Future of the Tradition
The ANZAC Day match tradition is secure, but it is not static. The AFL continues to refine the occasion, ensuring that it remains relevant and meaningful for future generations.
Expanding the Reach
The expansion of the ANZAC Day round to include multiple matches across the country has been a positive development. It allows more fans to participate in the tradition and ensures that the spirit of the day reaches a wider audience.
The inclusion of the AFLW in the ANZAC Day round is another important step. It reflects the growing profile of women’s football and ensures that female players and fans are part of the commemoration.
Maintaining the Integrity
The challenge for the AFL is to maintain the integrity of the ANZAC Day match as it grows. The commercialisation of the occasion must be balanced against its solemn purpose. The rituals that define the day—the Last Post, the minute’s silence, the guard of honour—must remain central, even as the fixture attracts greater attention.
The AFL has shown a commitment to preserving the tradition, working closely with the RSL and other veterans’ organisations to ensure that the day remains respectful and meaningful. This partnership is essential to the ongoing success of the ANZAC Day match.
The ANZAC Day match tradition is a unique and powerful expression of Australian identity. It combines the fierce rivalry of two of the AFL’s oldest clubs with the solemnity of national remembrance, creating an occasion that is both exhilarating and humbling.
For footy fans, the ANZAC Day match is a highlight of the season—a day when the game transcends sport and becomes something more. It is a day to honour the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future. It is a day to remember why we love this game and what it represents.
As the tradition continues to evolve, it will remain a cornerstone of the Australian rules football calendar. The ANZAC Day match is not just a game; it is a rite of passage, a moment of reflection, and a celebration of the values that define us as a nation.
If you found this guide valuable, explore our other articles on the history and culture of Australian rules football, including the stories behind our iconic grounds and the fierce rivalries that shape the game. The tradition of ANZAC Day is just one chapter in the rich tapestry of footy—there is always more to discover.
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