Is Anzac Day worth it?

[dalyc]

Given recent issue of 3 games in 12 days, I pose the question half seriously. I know we'd never give it up and I don't really want to. Still, I think we'll have a similar issue next year given Anzac Day is on a Wednesday.

Just curious what others might think?

[Piesnchess]

IM over it, it was very much a sheedy and MM thing, I reckon make it the Grand Final replay day, when the previous years GF twosome play off, time to share it around now.

[Bob Sugar]

IMO we should play Essendon twice in 2 weeks, that would make the short week the same for both teams.

[Presti35]

It's only an issue when the game falls on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

We could look at both teams having a bye the following week, but this means going the following 17 weeks without a rest.

Regardless, this game is a yearly highlight, so I'm happy to keep it going. (Would have loved to be the first to win 4 in a row tho).

[mattys123]

I've got friends in NSW who don't watch much AFL at all, in fact they go as far to say they only watch 2 games a year.

The AFL Grand final and ANZAC day.

So is it worth it, to play in the second most exposed game of the season, at the expense of a few days less rest?

I say HELL YES.

You have to remember that it was Collingwood, not the AFL, that requested that third game be played on a Saturday, rather then the Sunday where Essendon played.

We would have had an extra days rest if not for the 125th year gala ball being on that night.

3 games in 13 days isn't that uncommon in the AFL.

There is also a little remedy to the short break problem after AD. Allow the Tigers and Dees to play every Anzac Day eve, and simply swap the fixtures the following week, so we play either the Tigers or Dees, and Essendon the other side.

Makes sense, but then again sense and the AFL don't go together too well at the moment.

[sixpoints]

[stui magpie]

I like the idea I heard somewhere of doing the fixture so that the teams that play on ANZAC day (us and Essendon) play the teams that play on ANZAC eve (Richmond and Melbourne) the following week.

That makes it somewhat a level playing field.

Other than that, it's just good player management. We might get a short break or two in there but we also get an extended break either before or after the midweek game so it comes out in the wash.

For a Wednesday game, we either have a 10 day break in lead up or after, depending on which round it's considered part of. In the other week if we only have a 5 day break, we focus on freshening the players up and do skills work, not hard training.

Shit, the used to play the Escort Cup midweek during the actual season so that would be 3 games in 7 days for semi pro athletes.

NRL players will play on the weekend, play Origin mid week, then back up again next weekend

[Damien]

One of my favourite days of the year. Why give it up? Crazy talk.

[Pies2016]

Good talking point.

I have mixed feelings on this one. Anything that raises the awareness of ANZAC day is a winner for me.

I do think that playing on a Monday or Tuesday can be managed to a limited extent. However, playing on a Wed and then again 4 days later, isn't what these athletes are prepared for ( against any opposition has the regulation weeks break )
Also very unBuckley like in that he highlighted the short break as a contributing factor to the loss. Assuming the club really believes the break was a factor In the loss, surely it's something up for discussion at board level. I just don't see how you could knowingly continue to offer up any advantage in such a competitive environment.

[hermie]

[piedys]

[eddiesmith]

[think positive]

[MagpieMark]

[mandy]

I think we should keep it. It's what it is because of us and Essendon. Nobody else wanted it. We deserve it.