It’s only the second year, but Rockbank and Sunbury are determined their Anzac Day clash in the Riddell District Football League will become a long-standing tradition.
The two clubs faced off at Sunbury on Anzac Day last year, and with the game coming to Rockbank this time, Rams president Mark Smith says the club is excited about the opportunity.
“It’s an important day,” Smith said. “Last year was new, but it was great and now it’s our turn to host it.”
While only in its infancy, the Anzac Day clash gives the club the chance to partner with Melton RSL to raise funds and remember fallen Diggers, some of them mates.
“I’m pretty well committed to Anzac Day,” Smith said. “I march to represent my grandfather, but I’ll have to give it a miss this year to fulfill my presidential duties.
“It’s a good chance to raise funds for the RSL and we’ll be giving a percentage of the gate to them.”
Rockbank has also organised an event at the club on the night before the match, with a presentation being made to the club by a returned serviceman.
“A friend who has served in Afghanistan and Timor is coming down to the club,” Smith said. “That will kick off the weekend at our usual meal night, so that’s a whole new experience for them and anyone’s welcome to come down to that.
“The theme will be sacrifice. My friend has been overseas three times and while we remember World War I and World War II, there’s always conflict around the world and we’re still sending troops over.”
While there’s a big game at the MCG on the day, Smith says it’s a good chance to get down and watch some local footy while giving back to the community.
“There was a good crowd at Sunbury last year so we’d encourage anyone to come down for the day,” Smith said. “A percentage of the money on the day goes to the RSL. You see some local footy and then we head into the rooms and watch the last half of the main game, so it’s a no-lose situation.”
On the field, Sunbury will start as favorites after recording big wins in its opening two games, while Rockbank will be searching for its first points of the season after two bad losses – although with weakened sides.
“We’ve got more guys coming back for this game so we’ll be pretty close to our full complement,” Smith said.
“We feel like we’re a chance in any game and we’ll push Sunbury all the way.”
