Sunday’s game between Collingwood and Essendon was the 27th ANZAC Day match.
Since the first game in 1995, the game has become one of Australia’s biggest national sporting events.
The coming together of the two teams, as well as the broader community, allows everyone to pay tribute to all servicemen and women of Australia and to acknowledge their courage, sacrifice, endurance and mateship.
This year, the game held extra significance for Collingwood’s oldest living player Ray Jones who tossed the coin for the game. The 95-year-old played a total of 22 games for Collingwood between 1946-48 under Jock McHale. He served with the Royal Australian Navy from 1943-45 and was aboard the cruiser HMAS Australia during the Philippines Campaign.
Watch Ray toss the coin on ANZAC Day below.
You can show your appreciation by donating to the ANZAC Appeal here.
