Is football cashing in on Anzac Day? Calls for The Last Post to be AXED from AFL matches to prevent ‘bugle fatigue’

There are calls for the iconic rendition of The Last Post to be axed from AFL matches because it has become a ‘gimmick’ that is losing its value.

Old rivals Collingwood and Essendon have been dueling in the annual Anzac Day match at the MCG since 1995.

It was the brainchild of then Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy, who had also served in the Australian Army during his playing days for Richmond.

The first match attracted 94,825 footy fans, a figure which remains the second highest home and away crowd in VFL/AFL history.

It is a match that regularly sells out well in advance and is an iconic moment on the AFL calendar.

The Last Post bugle call has become an iconic part of the commemoration of fallen soldiers before the AFL Anzac Day match

Since 1995, commemorations and playing of The Last Post have been extended to all AFL matches played throughout the round

However, since 1995, the Anzac Day match has evolved into an Anzac Round, with teams all paying tribute to fallen soldiers in rituals before each match of the round.

It has also expanded to the NRL, with the Sydney Roosters and St. George Illawarra Dragons playing for the Anzac Day Cup since 2002.

The New Zealand Warriors and Melbourne Storm have also played on Anzac Day since 2009, with the exception of 2015 when the Kiwis hosted the Gold Coast Titans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.

Before each of these games in the AFL and the NRL, the Last Post bugle call is played to honor fallen soldiers.

This has led to radio host Greg ‘Marto’ Martin of Brisbane’s Triple M Breakfast with Marto, Margaux & Dan calling for The Last Post to be dropped from all AFL matches except the annual match between Essendon and Collingwood.

‘Football has changed now [The Last Post] into a gimmick,” he said.

The traditional Anzac Day clash between the Magpies and Bombers regularly sells out

The Anzac Day match has been enhanced with live music and a festive atmosphere at the MCG

The NRL has also expanded its Anzac Day commemorations across the round, with The Last Post playing before every match

“When Kevin Sheedy, the Essendon coach, said in 1995, ‘Let’s have an Anzac Day match at the MCG’, I think that’s the most… spine tingling, three minutes or so.” Marto continued.

‘97,000 at the MCG… not one person shouting while that’s being played, and the honor they give to all the serving soldiers and returning soldiers is quite extraordinary.’

“But what’s happened now, as football always does, and I’m not just talking about AFL, I’m talking about rugby league too, they’ve taken something great and they’ve said, ‘Oh, that’s good -‘

Margaux said, “How can we capitalize!”

Marto said: ‘So what’s going to happen this week in all eight games of the AFL and all eight games of rugby league… each of them will play this [The Last Post] and you get ANZAC – you get bugle fatigue.”

“We have to stop it somewhere.”

Margaux said, “It becomes saturated, so it loses its value.”

“They all think they’re doing the right thing, but all they do is make a mockery of it.”

New franchises in both the AFL and NRL have also adopted Anzac Day commemorations

The AFL has confirmed that all nine matches in round seven will hold special Anzac observation ceremonies ahead of each match.

Anzac Appeal badges will be available for purchase at selected matches, allowing fans to show their support for the RSL’s Anzac Appeal and those who have served.

‘Anzac Day is one of our country’s most important national occasions, so I encourage all fans attending matches throughout the round to arrive early to soak up the atmosphere and pre-match formalities, which will undoubtedly be another moving tribute will be to the sacrifices of our men and women, past and present,” said AFL General Manager Commercial Peta Webster.