Essendon will face Collingwood in the ANZAC Day clash at the MCG on Saturday. The 2015 ANZAC Day blockbuster will be the 21st annual game between the two sides since the tradition began with the memorable 1995 drawn match at the MCG. The ANZAC Day match pays tribute to the sacrifice of the servicemen and women of Australia and celebrates the ANZAC spirit – courage, sacrifice, endurance and mateship.
Each year, Essendon and Collingwood work in close partnership with the Returned and Services League (RSL) to highlight the contribution of Australians who have served in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world.
Essendon v Collingwood
Saturday 25 April
MCG at 2.40pm
Presentation of the Match Football
Deputy Chief of Army Major General Rick Burr
Burr hails from Renmark, South Australia and graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1985. Prior to his current appointment as Deputy Chief of Army, Burr held a unique responsibility as Deputy Commanding General, US Army, Pacific – the first foreign officer to hold such a position. Amongst many other senior command roles, Burr’s personal awards include the Distinguished Service Cross Member of the Order of Australia and Member of the Royal Victorian Order.
Coin Toss
Dan Keighran
Essendon Football Club proudly recognises the bravery and sacrifice made by Australian Defence Force families. Victoria Cross recipient Dan Keighran will walk to the centre of the ground for the coin-toss. Dan is an ambassador for The Australian Defence Force Assistance Trust which provides flexible financial support to our diggers and their families in times of need and tragedy.
Pre-Match Program
This year’s pre-match entertainment will feature:
1.31pm – 1.51pm: Preliminary on-field warm up
1.54pm – 2.02pm: Veterans Motorcade
2.10pm: Arena clear – set Cheer Squads
2.14pm: Display of Cheer Squad Banner
2.15pm: Umpires enter on cue / presentation of match football
2.17pm: Collingwood enters on cue
2.20pm: Essendon enters on cue
2.22pm (approx): Immediately on completion of Essendon theme song, teams congregate on Northern Stand centre wing, Captains shake hands and then teams will run through the joint cheer squad banner
2.23pm: Catafalque Guard in pre-set position
2.28pm: Teams and umpires in position for Observance Ceremony
Guard Introduced and slow march from pre-set position
Guard turns outward and rest on arms
The Ode
The Last Post
Minute Silence
The Rouse – Flags raise
2.38pm: At conclusion of National Anthems
Two sirens – two minutes to the start of the match
Guard vacates the arena
Coin Toss
Match Commences
Radio Broadcast Guide
Melbourne: Triple M, 3AW, 774ABC, Grandstand Digital, SEN
Adelaide: Triple M, 891 ABC, Grandstand Digital, FIVEaa
Perth: 6PR, Triple M, 720ABC, Grandstand Digital
Sydney: 630ABC
Brisbane: 936ABC, NIRS
Canberra: 103.9ABC
Hobart: HeartFM, 936ABC
Darwin: 105.7ABC
Regional: NIRS, Crocmedia, KROCK
TV Broadcast Guide
Melbourne: Channel Seven at 2.30pm (live), Fox Footy at 2.30pm (live)
Adelaide: Channel Seven at 2.00pm (live), Fox Footy at 2.00pm (live)
Perth: Channel Seven at 12.30pm (live), Fox Footy at 2.00pm (live)
Sydney: Channel Seven at 2.30pm (live), Fox Footy at 2.30pm (live)
Brisbane: Channel Seven at 2.30pm (live), Fox Footy at 2.30pm (live)
Concourse
A collection for the Returned & Services League (RSL) will be held at the match. Volunteers will collect donations at the gates of the ground prior to the beginning of the match.
Cheer Squad Banner
The Anzac Day match is unique in that all players from both teams join together to run through a single banner created for the occasion by the cheer squads of both clubs. This coming together of players symbolises the way Australians have come together as one in times of war. The banner lists the names of footballers from each club who lost their lives in war. The captains and players of both teams will meet to shake hands before they run united through the banner.
Anzac Day Logo
The Returned & Services League, the Australian Football League and the Essendon and Collingwood Football Clubs have established an Anzac Day logo. Each year the logo is proudly displayed on the guernsey’s of both clubs as well as on the cheer squad banner.
Anzac Day Trophy
A presentation of the Anzac Day Trophy will be made on the ground at the conclusion of the match. The President of the Victorian RSL, Vietnam Veteran Major General David McLachlan, will present the trophy to the captain of the winning team.
The trophy comprises a silver bowl, which is supported by four bronze columns and a central glass pillar. The glass pillar has images of servicemen and footballers and is etched with the names of all VFL footballers that gave their lives on active service. The wooden footing of the trophy comes from an ironbark plank, part of an ammunition wagon, which saw service in Villers-Brentonneux in France. The bronze columns incorporate metal salvaged from Gallipoli battlefields.
Anzac Medal
A presentation of the Anzac Medal will be made on the ground at the conclusion of the match. The Anzac Medal is awarded to the player in the match who best exemplifies the Anzac spirit - skill, courage, self-sacrifice, teamwork and fair play.
Guernsey Auction
Essendon’s Anzac Day match-worn guernsey’s will be auctioned online via the club’s website immediately following the game with all proceeds being donated to The Returned & Services League (RSL).
Anzac Veterans Motorcade
A motorcade of eight cars prior to the commencement of the game will include as follows:
CAR 1
Mr Frank Holland-Stabback
Mr Eric Johnston
CAR 2
Mr Frank Kuffer, OAM
Mrs Jean Evans
CAR 3
Mr John Duson
Mr Brian King
CAR 4
Mrs Patricia Keech
Ms Monica Kavanagh
CAR 5
Mr Rex Bain
Mr Vern Joseph
CAR 6
Mr Dave Mancer, MM
Mr Neville Clark
CAR 7
Warrant Officer Class Two Joel Anderson
Corporal Nick Wijgers
CAR 8
Warrant Officer Class Two Harlan Marks
Corporal Pravaneeeth Pathmanatha
Membership
Visit the Membership marquee outside Gate 3 where you can be part of the club’s fabric and become a 2015 member. Alternatively, click here for more information, or call 1300 46 26 62 (during business hours)
Merchandise Sales
Shop direct with the club and visit the Bomber Shop van outside the MCG. You’ll be able to check out new adidas products, club exclusive items and a heap of match-day accessories. Alternatively shop online at www.bombershop.com.au.
Live Online Coverage
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