RocketScientist
Draftee
- Jul 30, 2009
- 2
- 0
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
Being involved in the Anzac Day clash no doubt confers a significant financial advantage to the two teams involved, both in terms of attendance on the day and television exposure for sponsors. Collingwood and Essendon, as original pioneers of the concept, deserved a grace period in which to exploit it. However after nearly 20 years I would argue that this period should be about to expire.
Beginning from next year, I would treat the Anzac Day fixture as a 'play-off' between Collingwood and Essendon for the right to contest the game the following season. Then for each season after the challenger would be randomly selected, on a rotational basis, so that after 18 seasons each team has the opportunity to contest an Anzac Day fixture. The winner each year would be crowned 'Anzac Day Champion', an accolade that may come to sit only below the premiership in terms of prestige.
Beginning from next year, I would treat the Anzac Day fixture as a 'play-off' between Collingwood and Essendon for the right to contest the game the following season. Then for each season after the challenger would be randomly selected, on a rotational basis, so that after 18 seasons each team has the opportunity to contest an Anzac Day fixture. The winner each year would be crowned 'Anzac Day Champion', an accolade that may come to sit only below the premiership in terms of prestige.