Essendon and Collingwood captains Jobe Watson and Nick Maxwell are among the 88 AFL footballers who have signed personal and heartfelt messages of support on their guernseys for the more than three thousand Australian Defence Force personnel serving on 13 overseas operations and in support of Australia’s Border Protection.

The gesture is part of the Anzac Day Telstra Message to the Troops service which is hoping to generate an unprecedented 10,000 messages of support for Australian troops.
 
 
Victoria Cross recipient and Young Australian of the Year, Trooper Mark Donaldson VC said that troops overseas will receive a real boost after reading messages of support from Aussies back home.

“AFL football has become a great Anzac Day tradition and the Message to the Troops campaign is an ideal platform for AFL fans to show their respect and pay tribute to the many service men and women who are currently serving overseas,"" he said..

Messages can be left for the troops via SMS to 044SUPPORT (0447 877 678) or in the comments section below until Sunday night.
 
AFL CEO, Andrew Demetriou said the AFL is proud of its Anzac Day traditions and encouraged all fans to take a moment to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and to send a personal message of support to troops currently serving overseas.
 
“What a fantastic way for our clubs, our players and all our fans to show the troops that we’re thinking of them on this special day of remembrance,” he said.
 
 
Essendon’s Dustin Fletcher, who will break the record for the most number of Anzac Day games played, wrote on his guernsey: To all the guys, keep safe everyone, it’s indeed an honour to play for you on Anzac Day.
 
Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell described what a privilege it was to play footy on Anzac Day on his guernsey: To the troops, our hearts and thoughts will be with you on Anzac Day.

The Message to the Troops service is a partnership between the Australian Navy, Army & Air-Force, the AFL and Telstra.

This Anzac Day three AFL matches will be played around the country. The traditional blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG, the Len Hall Tribute Game at Subiaco featuring Fremantle and Richmond, while Tasmania will host its first Anzac Day game with Hawthorn playing North Melbourne at Aurora Stadium.
 
 
Fan Update: Watch the Essendon squad train for 45mins at 10am Saturday, 24th April at Windy Hill in the lead-up to Sunday's big ANZAC Day blockbuster.
 
There will also be an opportunity to purchase the latest Essendon merchandise, visit the Hall of Fame or sign up as a 2010 member.