By WILLIAM ZWAR

Anzac Day and sport. Sport and Anzac Day. In Australia the two seem to be drawn together, with different sporting codes putting on yearly blockbusters in tandem with one of Australia’s most historic days.

However the comparison of the two often seems forced with the media relating the fixtures and the performances to war and likening the bravery and courage of the two.

Coaches and commentators have come under fire for producing analogies like “lose a soldier, replace him with another one” when referring to player injuries, while sporting organisations have been admonished for commercialising a national day of commemoration for the fallen.

Despite the controversy, some members of the military are not averse to the idea of sporting events helping to commemorate the bravery of Australian soldiers in war. 

Pte Andrew Finlayson, a member of 8th/7th Battalion, Royal Victorian Regiment, says the ANZAC spirit is not something that is the sole domain of the military.

Rather, Pte Finlayson, 27, suggests soldiers and sportsmen are quite similar, and while “the particular blockbusters are not relevant”, comparisons of the two are warranted.

“I have no doubt that a sports team at the elite level will be as close to their teammates as soldiers are to their teammates,” he said.

Pte Finlayson says that rather than reflecting Anzac characteristics, sport is just another way people can reflect on those who have fought and fallen.  People need to engage with the day to reflect on what the sacrifice of a generation of men and women means to them.

“Using the games as a platform to increase the exposure of Anzac Day to those who may not be motivated to attend services or marches is a way to make people reflect on what the day means,” he says.

World War II conscript Ronald Ivers, who is 91 and served in New Guinea, has similar views in the role of sport on ANZAC day. 

“It’s a wonderful idea for the general public to commemorate the significance of the day,” Mr Ivers said. 

“People were horrified (at first), but as the years went by, they realised the significance.”

Today Mr Ivers, who was a Staff Sergeant of the New Guinea Press Unit, will be hoping for an Essendon win.

Collingwood host Essendon at the MCG this afternoon for the 21st Anzac Day clash between the two AFL teams, while Melbourne Storm will host the Auckland Warriors (NZ) at AAMI Park in one of three NRL Anzac fixtures.

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