Why do Collingwood and Essendon always play on ANZAC Day?

Question

What's the history and significance behind it?

Answer 1

Essendon and Collingwood have played every ANZAC Day because it in celebration of the ANZAC spirit... It has been played on Anzac day ( April 25th) every year since 1995... The reason this 2 clubs play are they would draw the biggest crowd 90000+ every year... This is the biggest game of the year outside the Grand Final...

I've been to 2 Anzac day games and as a support of Essendon this is the best game to go to... Go the Bombers

Answer 2

because everyone is  at anzac day services and booze ups and couldnt give a toss about them..another  excuse to get  together with your mates and have a booze up.

Answer 3

Because in one match in the late 90s they contested one of the best games in VFL/AFL history which ended in a draw in-front of a capacity (near 100,00) crowd. The same fixture was repeated the following year and has since developed into a major cash cow for the AFL. Other than this great match there is no significance at all.

It has become a controversial issue amoung supporters from opposition Melbourne clubs that believe other teams deserve to play on this day. Carlton and Richmond for example are both capable of drawing a capacity crowd on this day.

Answer 4

Because they are the two biggest teams in Melbourne and it was these two who came up with the idea. I went to the first ANZAC game which ended up  to be a draw infront of nearly 100,000 fans. The atmosphere is way better than at a Grand Final. Go Bombers!!

Answer 5

Its all about the mighty $ (more supporters will attend)...and of course Eddie McQuires continual influence over the AFL...its lucky Essendon have come good this year..otherwise it wouldn't rate that well on TV...

Answer 6

its a sraight up money spinner for the AFL having 2 clubs with the biggest supporter base/membership play that day, why shouldn't other teams get to play on ANZAC day-probably because e.g hawks v kanga's would only get around 60 to 70 thousand instead of thr 95+thousand for essendon and collingwood.