By Caitlin Arnold
A football game can never compare to the horror of war. Nor the loss of a soldier to a loss at the siren. And the noise of a thousand troops barging a quiet beach will always be louder than the sound of a sell out crowd. But on this 100th year anniversary of the ANZACs landing at Gallipoli, a football game can turn war on its head as two hardened foes go toe to toe for one common goal.
Round Three of the AFL Sydney 2015 season will mark ANZAC Day on the calendar and with tradition, comes the annual ANZAC Day clash between the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Pennant Hills Demons.
While there are not many ways a person can experience the hardship of the original ANZAC expedition, a modern day display of pride and mateship is set to take place at Picken Oval to remember what the ANZACs were fighting for, and those who were lost along the way.
With ANZAC Day matches taking place across Sydney on Saturday 25 April 2015, it is the Western Suburbs versus Pennant Hills match that will once again bring long time supporters of the two clubs - and the game - to the local oval for a game of Aussie Rules.
Western Suburbs Club President, Nick Miller says that the game and ceremony which surrounds it, has become one of the key events on the AFL Sydney calendar.
"The ANZAC Day clash at Picken Oval has grown into a huge event – one that many supporters if they are to attend one game a year choose this one,” explains Miller.
"In 2014 the game was described as the best AFL Sydney ANZAC Day event to date.”
To continue this long standing tradition, emulating the annual Essendon versus Collingwood AFL ANZAC Day game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground - but on a much smaller scale - the Magpies will again begin the day with ceremony.
"The ANZAC Day ceremony starts at 12.40 pm and is run by Western Suburb’s main sponsor the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL Club with their CEO, Dean Thomas in attendance.
"The service features a youth band and bugler, with the laying of the wreaths while the teams and umpires line up at the stage.
"Following the ceremony, the City of Canterbury Mayor, Brian Robson will toss the coin for the Premier Division captains.”
Away from the commemorations, the Magpies will be looking to hit back at their Saturday opponents following a 81-110 loss in last year’s ANZAC Day game.
"Pennant Hills will be formidable opponents having played in the 2014 Premier Division Grand Final and having defeated Western Suburbs in the 2014 ANZAC Day game.
Last Modified on 25/04/2015 11:29
