The history
The AFL's ANZAC Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon has been played annually since 1995. The fixture routinely fills the MCG to capacity (typically 90,000+) and is one of the most-watched matches of the home and away season. The NRL's ANZAC Day fixtures, headlined by Roosters versus Dragons at Allianz, follow a similar tradition. Both codes use ANZAC Round to acknowledge service personnel through ceremonial pre-game tributes.