100 years on, ANZAC Day is still deeply significant to all Australians.
For many clubs across the Peter Jackson VFL and TAC Cup, football is a way to respect and honour our ANZACs, along with those who continue to serve our great country.
The use of football to remember such a significant part of Australia’s history is not just an honour for the clubs that play on April 25, but all teams playing across the weekend.
This weekend 13 VFL and TAC Cup games will be played, with ceremonies occurring across the majority of games to mark the ANZAC Centenary.
In the VFL, Box Hill Hawks and Coburg will continue their traditional Anzac match.
The two clubs play in honour of two ex-servicemen who served during World War 2 and were stalwarts of the Box Hill and Coburg Football Clubs. Sadly now both gentlemen have passed on.
They will play for the Gibbs Lines Cup, named after John Gibbs V 40659 and Eric (Tiger) Lines MBE VX 2196.
Gibbs was noted for his volunteer service as a committee member of the Box Hill Football Club for a remarkable 65 years.
Lines joined Coburg Football Club in 1929 where he had a long career and involvement across the seniors and reserves before he enlisted in the Australian Army Service Corps as a driver. He re-joined the Coburg Football Club for the 1946 season and took over as the coach of the Seconds.
Coburg captain Nick Carnell said it was a special game each year, and one that he looked forward to but will unfortunately miss this year due to a concussion in Round 1.
“It is always a game you look forward to, especially the way the AFL structure it, and with a big build up from a VFL perspective as well.
“The build-up for these games from a club perspective is pretty significant, as it gives you a moment to reflect and look back and appreciate how lucky we are to be playing football on a day like this.
Carnell said the relationship between the club and the local RSL plays an integral part in the day, with a lot of members from the RSL supporting Coburg and attending most games.
“The president of the RSL is a big fan of the Coburg FC, and the whole time I have been there he has been well invested in the club.
“There is a great unity between the club and past servicemen and women, Carnell said.
“From a club point of view, there were people like Eric Lines that left their football club to serve our country during that period, so you look forward to these games as it is symbolic of the great work a lot of people did, and the sacrifices they made.”
The preparation leading into the game is different than others, with Carnell highlighting that education to the younger players is a key focus.
“The week is different in preparation for a lot of guys, with many players – myself included – having family that have served over there, you take a moment to reflect and look back on that as well.
“I think with the young guys coming in, they get a real appreciation for what happened back then, they learn about what the occasion actually means.”
There is no doubt that all clubs this weekend will reflect and realise how lucky they are to be playing our game of Australian Rules on such a significant weekend.
Lest we forget.
Last Modified on 24/04/2015 10:05
