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7 months ago
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There are calls for the iconic rendition of The Last Post to be scrapped from AFL matches because it has become a 'gimmick' that is losing its value.
Old rivals Collingwood and Essendon have dueled in the annual Anzac Day match at the MCG since 1995.
It was the brainchild of then Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy who had also served in the Australian Army during his playing days for Richmond.
The first match attracted 94,825 footy fans, a figure that remains the second-highest home-and-away crowd in VFL/AFL history.
It is a fixture that is regularly sold out well in advance and an iconic moment on the AFL calendar.
The annual AFL Anzac Day match between Essendon and Collingwood has been a fixture since 1995 after former Bombers coach Kevin Sheedy suggested it
The Last Post bugle call has become an iconic part of the commemoration for fallen soldiers before the AFL Anzac Day match
Since 1995, the commemorations and playing of The Last Post has expanded to all AFL matches played across the round
However since 1995, the Anzac Day match has expanded to become an Anzac Round, with teams all paying tribute to fallen soldiers in rituals before every game of the round.
It has also expanded to the NRL, with the Sydney Roosters and the St. George Illawarra Dragons playing for the Anzac Day Cup since 2002.
The New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm have also played on Anzac Day since 2009 with the exception of 2015 when the Kiwis hosted the Gold Coast Titans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Landings.
Before each of these games in the AFL and the NRL, The Last Post bugle call is played to honour fallen soldiers.
Which has led radio host Greg 'Marto' Martin from Brisbane's Triple M Breakfast with Marto, Margaux & Dan to call for The Last Post to be scrapped from all AFL matches except the annual fixture between Essendon and Collingwood.
'Football has now turned [The Last Post] into a gimmick,' he said.
The traditional Anzac Day clash between the Magpies and Bombers is a regular sellout
The Anzac Day match has expanded to include live music and a party atmosphere at the MCG
The NRL has also expanded its Anzac Day commemorations across the entire round with The Last Post played before every match
'Back in 1995 when Kevin Sheedy, the coach of Essendon, he said, 'Let's have an Anzac Day clash at the MCG,' I reckon it's the most… spine tingling three minutes or so.' Marto continued.
'97,000 at the MCG… not one person yelling out while that's being played and, the honour that they give to all serving soldiers and returned soldiers is quite extraordinary.'
'But now what's happened, as football always does, and I'm not just talking AFL I'm talking rugby league as well, they've taken a wonderful thing and they've gone, 'Oh that's good —'
Margaux said: 'How can we capitalise!'
Marto said: 'So what's going to happen this week in all eight games of the AFL and all eight games of the rugby league… every single one of them will play this [The Last Post] and you'll get ANZAC - you'll get bugle fatigue.'
'We have to stop it somewhere.'
Margaux said: 'It gets saturated, so it loses it's value.'
'They all think they are doing the right thing, but all they are doing is turning it into a mockery.'
New franchises in both the AFL and NRL have also adopted the Anzac Day commemorations
The AFL has confirmed that all nine matches across round seven will hold special Anzac observance ceremonies ahead of each game.
Anzac Appeal badges will be available for purchase at select matches for fans to show their support for the RSL's Anzac Appeal and those who have served.
'Anzac Day is one of our country's most important national occasions so I'd encourage all fans attending matches throughout the round to arrive early to soak up the atmosphere and pre-match formalities that will no doubt be another moving tribute to the sacrifices of our past and present service men and women,' AFL General Manager Commercial Peta Webster said.
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