Why is it that Essendon and Collingwood play each other on ANZAC Day?

Question

why is it that these two teams were chosen to play each other annually?

like, why not Melbourne v Richmond, or St Kilda v Carlton?

why was it Essendon v Collingwood that was chosen to be played every ANZAC Day?

(i have nothing against the match up.....just wondering why)

Answer 1

Because they heve the biggest fan base a its all too whith money i think they should swap the teams around evey year it be better foe every one

Answer 2

Because it was Kevin Sheedys idea, and they pack out the MCG every year

Answer 3

I'm pretty sure they were the ones who approached the AFL with the idea.

Answer 4

It's tradition mate, and what a tradition .

Answer 5

Because lots of their players went off to the Vietnam war.

Answer 6

Since 1975 the VFL/AFL has celebrated Anzac Day and the ANZAC spirit with matches of Australian rules football, though the modern day tradition began in 1995 and is played between traditional Australian Football League rivals Collingwood and Essendon at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. During many wars, Australian rules football matches have been played overseas in places like northern Africa and Vietnam as a celebration of Australian culture and as a bonding exercise between soldiers. Essendon and Carlton contested a once-off match on Anzac Day in 1975 (which Essendon won) in front of a large crowd of 77,770 at Waverley Park. The annual blockbuster game began in 1995 and has become the biggest match of the AFL season outside of the AFL Grand Final typically selling out in advance; 91,234 people attended the match in 2006. The best on ground is awarded the Anzac Day Medal (which has been won by James Hird three times, the most of any player).

Answer 7

It was the teams that came up with the idea and made the suggestion to the AFL.  They tried it out, and the rest is history.

Lets face it, no other teams (apart from Carlton maybe) brings in 100,000 fans to the MCG either.

Its been a tradition for 18 years, get over it people and find something else to whine about.