ANZAC Day holds a special place on the AFL Queensland calendar and is recognised each year by our state-wide leagues and clubs.
Anzac round matches pay tribute to the sacrifice of the servicemen and women of Australia and New Zealand and celebrates the ANZAC spirit – courage, sacrifice, endurance and mateship.
Around Queensland, traditional rivalries will take to the park for guaranteed blockbuster matches.
In Townsville, the Curra Swans have unveiled a specially made jersey to commemorate their Anzac round. Approximately half of the Swans senior men and women are either serving or ex-service personnel with many serving on operational deployments, adding to the special emotion of playing in the ANZAC Day clash.
They’ll face off against the Hermit Park Tigers at Muldoon Oval, with funds raised on the day for veteran’s support service Swiss8, coming from a combination of jersey sales, gate takings and food outlets at the ground.
In the QAFL, Surfers Paradise will take on Labrador at Sir Bruce Small Park on Anzac Eve, while Wilston Grange will host Morningside.
Wilston Grange’s Matt Trewhella said matches at Hickey Park would be an opportunity for Grange to honour and remember all those who have served our country.
“The Anzac Eve match started seven years ago and has become one of the most important days on our calendar,” said Trewhella.
“With Sandgate withdrawing from the competition at the end of 2019, Morningside Panthers now take part in the annual match.
“The club has a tremendous relationship with Morningside both on and off the field. We have an annual Legacy Round match against Morningside, so it’s fitting they are involved in our Anzac game.”
The two sides will honour club legends John Blair and Graham Jewell with the newly named John Blair – Graham Jewell medal for the best on ground.
“John and Graham, along with both coaches, will select the best on ground with the medal presented to the player after the match,” said Trewhella.
Further north, it’ll be a battle of the Sunshine Coast, with long standing rivals Maroochydore meeting Noosa for the first time this QAFL season in a twilight game.
At Sherwood Oval, the day will include ANZAC Day traditions and Acknowledgement of Country, Last Post, The Ode, a minute silence, Reveille and finish with the National Anthem, before the QAFL match against Broadbeach and the QAFW match against Morningside. A percentage of funds raised on the day will be donated to the Sherwood Indooroopilly RSL Sub Branch and Solider On Australia.
In Capricornia, Anzac Round marks the start of the footy season with all youth and senior competitions kicking off this weekend. The action will be headlined with the annual ANZAC Day clash on Sunday 25th between the Rockhampton Panthers and the Brothers Kangaroos men’s and women’s teams. The day will also feature a commemorative service.
ANZAC ROUND FEATURED MATCHES
VFL
Saturday April 24th
Southport v Aspley – 1:00pm at Fankhauser Reserve
QAFL
*All QAFL venues will be commemorating ANZAC Day with a pre match ceremony.
Saturday April 24th
Redland-Victoria Point v Palm Beach Currumbin – 2:00pm at Totally Workwear Park
Sherwood v Broadbeach – 2:00pm at Sherwood Oval
Surfers Paradise v Labrador – 2:00pm at Sir Bruce Small Park
Wilston Grange v Morningside – 2:00pm at Hickey Park
Maroochydore v Noosa – 3:30pm at Maroochydore Multisports Complex
QAFLW
Saturday April 24th
Uni of Queensland v Bone University – 4:45pm at UQ
Wilston Grange v Coolangatta – 4:45pm at Hickey Park
Maroochydore V Aspley – 1:15pm at Maroochydore Multisports Complex
Coorparoo v Yeronga – 4:45pm at Giffin Park
QFA (all divisions)
Saturday April 24th
Beenleigh v Springwood – 2:00pm at Dauth Park (reserves at 1:002pm)
Mayne v Coorparoo – 2:00pm at Enoggera Memorial Park (reserves at 12:00pm)
*A formal ANZAC Day ceremony will be conducted between 1.30pm and 2.00pm and will include music from the Pipes & Drums, National Servicemen’s Memorial Band. The day will raise funds for Legacy Australia.
Caloundra v Aspley – 2:00pm at Caloundra-Carter Park
Sandgate v Redcliffe – 2:00pm at Lemke Road (colts 9:45am, reserves 11:45am, women 4:45pm masters 6:45pm)
*ANZAC Day commemorative service will be held prior to the Senior Men’s game. The day will raise funds for Mates4Mates.
Ipswich v Moorooka – 3:10pm at Limestone Park (reserves 11:30am, women 1:30pm)
*One player from each match will be awarded the Anzac Medal.
Pine Rivers v Yeronga South Brisbane – 2:00pm at Rob Akers Reserve (reserves 11:45am, women 4:45pm )
*ANZAC Day commemorative service will be held prior to the Senior Men’s game.
QFAW (all divisions)
Saturday April 24th
Sherwood v Morningside – 4:45pm at Sherwood Oval
Mayne v Coorparoo – 4:45pm at Enoggera Memorial Park
AFL CAPRICORNIA
Sunday April 25th
Brothers Kangaroos v Rockhampton Panthers – 1:10pm women/ 3:00pm men at Kele Park.
*ANZAC Day commemorative ceremony will be held at 2:40pm
AFL DARLING DOWNS
Saturday April 24th
Warwick Redbacks v South Burnett Saints – 2:30pm at Warwick Credit Union Oval
AFL TOWNSVILLE
Saturday April 24th
Curra Swans v Hermit Park Tigers – 1:45pm men / 3:00pm women (reserves 12:00pm) at Mudloon Oval.
*Raising funds for Swiss8
Northern Beaches v Thuringowa Bulldogs – 1:45pm men / 3:50pm women (reserves 12:00pm) at The Green
*Both clubs playing for the inaugural Anzac Cup and there is an Anzac medal for best on ground in all senior games. Both clubs are wearing specially designed Anzac jumpers.
The Finn-Holman Cup will also be contested, celebrating both clubs life members John Finn and Robert Holman.
AFL MACKAY
Sunday April 25th
Mackay City v Country – 1:00pm women / 2:40pm men at Magpies Sporting Club
*All gate proceeds will go to Magpie’s Jack Fortescue Road to Recovery Fund.
