The Anzac Day Grand Final Rematch

[Adelaide Hawk]

The first Anzac Day match played between the previous season's Grand Finalists was in 1948, a game between 1947 Grand Finalists West Adelaide and Norwood. Norwood won that match comfortably. No football was played on Anzac Day prior to this, mainly because seasons did not commence until the week after.

Then we didn't see another one until 1954, then 1956.

From the years 1958 to 1985, Anzac Day matches were always played between the previous year's Grand Finalists. Then for some reason I am not aware of, the tradition ceased.

Then we saw spasmodic rematches of previous year's Grand Finalists in 1991, 1995, 1998 and 1999. Surprisingly, there was no rematch in 2000 between Norwood and Port Adelaide.

From 2001, we have returned to the tradition of having a Grand Final rematch on Anzac Day. In 44 matches, the reigning Premier was won 24 times, the runner-up, 20.

[Mr66]

Great tradition and thanks for the info AH.
Now it's up to Spelly for all the stats in minutae

[robranisgod]

From the years 1958 to 1985, Anzac Day matches were always played between the previous year's Grand Finalists. Then for some reason I am not aware of, the tradition ceased.

You can blame one KG Cunningham for that. He led a very spirited argument that North and Glenelg wouldn't pull a big enough crowd to do justice to Anzac Day. This was despite the 1985 Grand Final between the two clubs selling out in record time. Who played in 1986? I know at the time KG was pushing strongly for it to be Port vs Norwood every year although I don't think that it always happened.

[Blacky]

pity the VFL dont do the same thing
but then again it is a south australian innovation so we cant do that can we

[Dogwatcher]

Maybe do a history check before making facetious remarks such as that Blacky.
I'm pretty certain that no one else cared too much for playing on Anzac Day before the Pies and Bombers took it up as a cause.

AH, could the reason that the Anzac Day match fell off the radar be more about the prevailing 'popular' attitude surrounding the day in those times.
As a youngster/teenager throughout that period after 85, I recall there was a heavy swing against Anzac Day through those times due to the prevailing perception of the Vietnam War.
There has been a restoration of Anzac Day on the national agenda since the mid 90s, particularly among the younger generation as evidenced by growing awareness and attendances.

I wonder if it could be suggested that the Collingwood v Essendon match up has played a part, a small part, in the renaissance of Anzac Day...

[Adelaide Hawk]

[quote="robranisgodWho played in 1986? I know at the time KG was pushing strongly for it to be Port vs Norwood every year although I don't think that it always happened.[/quote]

Three matches were played on Anzac Day which was a Friday: West v Central, North v Sturt, South v Port.

[Adelaide Hawk]

AH, could the reason that the Anzac Day match fell off the radar be more about the prevailing 'popular' attitude surrounding the day in those times.

Could be, it's a good suggestion, but they still had Anzac Day matches, just not rematches of the previous year's Grand Finalists. It was the same in the VFL/AFL.

[Dogwatcher]

Here's an interesting yarn on the VFL/AFL scenario

http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/04/25/fo ... ood-mates/