3 minute read

Heavy defeats have reignited debate over whether tradition should guarantee Anzac Day fixtures in the AFL and NRL.

Calls are growing to review the make-up of marquee Anzac Day fixtures across both the AFL and NRL, following a series of one-sided results involving Essendon Bombers and St George Illawarra Dragons.

In the AFL, Kane Cornes has questioned whether Essendon should retain its traditional Anzac Day slot against Collingwood Magpies after a 77-point defeat on Saturday.

The result extended Collingwood's recent dominance, with Essendon winless in the fixture since 2021, aside from a draw in 2024.

Speaking on SEN, Cornes argued that performance and audience engagement should influence prime-time scheduling.

He suggested Essendon's recent record, both in results and viewership, raised valid questions about whether the club should be guaranteed an annual place in the high-profile match.

Cornes noted that while Essendon played a key role in establishing the Anzac Day tradition, that history may not justify ongoing selection without competitive balance.

He proposed a temporary break of several years, allowing the club to reset before returning to the fixture.

Potential alternatives were also raised. Cornes pointed to match-ups involving Sydney Swans or Geelong Cats as options that could deliver stronger contests and broader national interest.

A similar debate has emerged in the NRL, where the Dragons' record in the Anzac Day clash against the Sydney Roosters has come under scrutiny.

Saturday's 62-16 loss marked the Roosters' fourth straight win in the fixture, with a combined scoreline of 195-78 across those matches.

According to Dean Ritchie of The Daily Telegraph, the Dragons' recent performances have weakened their case to retain the traditional 4pm timeslot.

He argued that no club holds an automatic right to such a prominent position, particularly on a day of national significance.

The discussion across both codes reflects a broader question facing administrators, how to balance tradition with competitiveness and audience appeal. For now, the fixtures remain unchanged, but the pressure for review is building.