Commemerating ANZAC Day at the MCG before 90, 000 fans Photo: Mike Lowe
It was another year of ANZAC Day anticipation as one on the most eagerly awaited fixtures on the sporting calendar saw AFL and NRL games draw big crowds once again, including a visit to New Zealand. Such is the fervour to attend these games that the biggest one of all, Essendon and Collingwood, had $45 tickets selling for quadruple their value on the black market.
As the traditional ANZAC Day services drew to an end, many proud Australians and New Zealanders started to make their way towards their favourite pubs and grounds to soak in some footy with the odd commemorative drink as part of the special day.
The MCG had its usual monster 90,000 plus crowd there to see Collingwood defeat Essendon 83-60. The AFL now also holds a fixture in Wellington, New Zealand between St Kilda and the Brisbane Lions in which Brisbane came up as victors, 82-79. The final game was a night match between Fremantle and North Melbourne in Western Australia where North ended up winning 74-61.
The NRL does just as well with its bid to make fans happy as Allianz Stadium in Sydney and AAMI Park in Melbourne also continue to see sell-out crowds: 40,000 fans turned out to see the Sydney Roosters defeat St George Illawarra 34-14. Those that couldn’t get in packed the Eastern Suburbs pubs of Sydney hoping to catch a glimpse of their teams.
The Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors continue to build on their traditional ANZAC Day clash as a decent number of Warriors fans saw their team beat the hosts 16-10 before 28,000 fans at AAMI Park. The final match had South Sydney beating the Brisbane Broncos 28-26 in a thriller at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium before a 44,000-strong crowd.
The popularity of AFL and NRL matches on ANZAC Day looks to be increasing as sports fans let the spirit flow with the same mateship as the diggers during their annual reunion. Whether it’s at the pub playing two up or watching a game live at a venue, the tradition is alive and kicking for ANZAC Day footy fans.
