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The ANZAC Day match is an Australian football match between two AFL clubs, the Collingwood Magpies and Essendon Bombers. It is held annually on April 25th, a day popularly known as ANZAC Day in Australia.
ANZAC Day is set aside to honor Australians who lost their lives in service to the nation in war, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. The ANZAC celebration is also held in neighboring country New Zealand.
To commemorate the day, a match between the Magpies and the Bombers is held at Melbourne Cricket Stadium every April 25.
What is the history behind the annual clash between Collingwood Magpies and Essendon Bombers?
The idea of the annual clash between Collingwood and Essendon on ANZAC Day was birthed by AFL Hall of Famer and Legend Kevin Sheedy.
Sheedy (then coach of Essendon), who served in the army while playing for the Richmond Tigers, believed that a match on ANZAC Day would be a perfect way to pay tribute to those who died serving the nation.
He pitched his idea to officials of Essendon and Collingwood, and in 1995, the first-ever Collingwood-Essendon ANZAC Day match was played. The fixture saw the Magpies and Bombers play out a 111-111 draw.
The turnout at the MCG for the inaugural edition of the tie was mammoth, producing a then-record 94,825 AFL spectators. But this number was surpassed in 2023 when the ANZAC Day match pulled in 95,179 supporters to the MCG.
At the end of every ANZAC Day clash, the ANZAC Medal is given to the player with the best performance. Collingwood holds the record for most ANZAC Day wins (17) compared to Essendon (10).
Collingwood won the 2023 edition, as the Magpies defeated the Bombers by 13 points (90-77).
Popular rock band to perform at 2024 ANZAC Day Match
Australian alternative rock band 'Something for Kate' has been lined up to perform at the 2024 AFL ANZAC Day event. The popular band, headlined by Paul Dempsey, Clint Hyndman, and Stephanie Ashworth, will thrill fans at the MCG with their electric music.
The 2024 clash will be the 29th edition of the ANZAC Day Match.
