By Joe McConnell | AFLDD Media
As one of Australia’s most important national commemorative occasions, ANZAC Day has been observed by millions of Australians and New Zealanders since 1916.
The Warwick Redbacks are looking forward to hosting their annual ANZAC Day clash this Saturday at Reddies Oval.
With a bevy of games scheduled from the under 12s straight through to the first grade men’s side, the ANZAC round has become a tradition for Warwick.
Club president and first grade men’s head coach Jason Wright says the players are eager to take part on the day, with the club holding a remembrance ceremony to honour the fallen Australian troops in military action.
“The remembrance ceremony is normally done at 2pm, before the main game,” Wright said.
“It is a full ANZAC remembrance ceremony with the national anthem and inclusion of war veterans. We’ve held it for about 10 years now,” he said.
Wright says the club has looked to the AFL’s yearly ANZAC match between Collingwood and Essendon as an inspiration.
Held at the MCG, the game is recognised as one of the country’s most meaningful sporting events and the biggest AFL match outside of the finals.
“We’ve really modelled on what the AFL has done,” Wright said.
“We have an ANZAC Day medallist for the player of the match as well as the ANZAC Cup given to the winning team.”
There is no doubt that the Redback’s first grade senior side will be confident in hoisting the ANZAC trophy, as they currently sit on the top of the table of the Allied Pickfords Cup.
Warwick has yet to drop a game, defeating Highfields, Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley each in convincing fashion.
An average win margin of 126 points to be exact.
However they will be facing their toughest challenger yet in the University Cougars, who are also undefeated in their two matches of the 2014 season and sit second on the ladder.
Coach Wright says he expects a tough match, but is excited to face last year’s runner up.
“At being the top of the table we’ve had the benefit of having the extra game after the Toowoomba matches had to cancelled in round one (due to rain),” Wright said.
“The ANZAC clash will be a true indication of where we are as team and whether we are a top of the ladder side,” he said.
The Redbacks will once again be led by three-time Holman Medallist Brendan Iles (14 goals), who is currently second in the competition in total goals kicked.
He will be met by Uni’s Alan Reilly, who is one short of Iles in goals kicked following a monster 10 goal performance against Toowoomba in round three.
Though Reilly has been spectacular Coach Wright is not looking to stop one player, but the entire Cougars side in order to pick up the win.
“We rate (University) very highly along with Coolaroo and South Toowoomba,” Wright said.
“Those are the three teams we’re trying to set a benchmark with.”
The men’s first grade match will take place between the Warwick Redbacks and the University Cougars Saturday April 26 at 2:30pm on Reddies Oval.
Last Modified on 29/04/2014 17:02
