By Alice Barker
AFL Queensland, along with its clubs and competitions, hold ANZAC Day close to their heart and will commemorate ANZAC Round this weekend, April 24 to 28.
ANZAC Round aims to recognise and remember all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in conflicts and peace keeping operations and commemorate their contributions to contemporary Australia.
Initially, in a show of respect, AFL Queensland prohibited community games to be played on ANZAC Day until it was realised there’s no better way to bring people together than some good footy.
AFL Queensland kicked off the ANZAC Day round some 50 years ago at Brisbane’s home ground of the Gabba before a ten-year hiatus from the ground before Sandgate and Coorparoo ushered in the return of the Gabba on ANZAC Day in 1976 with the Hawks winning by a mere six points.
In 2019, ANZAC Round will commence this Wednesday night with the traditional ANZAC Day eve showdown between QAFL clubs Wilston Grange and Sandgate at Hickey Park.
On ANZAC Day, the Rockhampton Panthers will host the Brothers Kangaroos at the Rockhampton Cricket Ground in the AFL Capricornia competition. Meanwhile the AFL Wide Bay competition will host a double header at Norm McLean Oval as Across the Waves Eagles host Brothers Bulldogs before the Hervey Bay and Bay Power showdown.
Saturday will see QFA Division 1 HART Sport Cup powerhouses Maroochydore host Noosa in their Grand Final rematch, with Noosa hoping to win the title after their one-point defeat in last year’s decider.
All competitions will observe a minute’s silence prior to the commencement of games.
ANZAC Round Featured Matches
QAFL
Wilston Grange v Sandgate Wilston Grange
Wednesday April 24, Hickey Park.
6:45pm service for a 7:00pm start.
Live streamed at www.aflq.com.au/qafl-live
Surfers Paradise v Labrador
Saturday April 27, Sir Bruce Small Park.
1:40pm ceremony, for a 2:00pm start.
Live streamed at www.aflq.com.au/qafl-live
Colts and Reserve will be held prior to the main game at 9:20am.
NEAFL
Redland v NT Thunder
Saturday April 27, Scottsdale Park
Game kicking off at 1:30pm
QFA Division 1 HART Sport Cup
Maroochydore v Noosa
Saturday April 27, Maroochydore Multisports Complex.
2:15pm match, with ANZAC ceremony from 2:00pm.
Colts and Reserves will be kicking off at 10:00am.
Coorparoo v Mayne
Saturday April 27, Giffin Park.
2:00pm match.
Another full day of footy with Colts, Reserves & QAFLW from 10:00am.
QFA Division 2
Kedron v Moreton Bay
Saturday April 27, E.K. Anderson Oval.
Live bugler & service from 1:50pm, match starts at 2:00pm
Reserves & QFAW from 11:50am.
Victoria Point v Alexandra Hills
Saturday April 27, Scottsdale Park
ANZAC service from 4:00pm with seniors kicking off at 4:15pm.
AFL Capricornia
Rockhampton Panthers Vs Brothers Kangaroos (Senior Women & Senior Men).
ANZAC DAY, 25th April at Rockhampton Cricket Grounds, 2.10pm.
Senior Women’s game kicks off at 2:10pm. ANZAC ceremony will be held prior to the men’s game at 3:40pm, senior men’s match beginning at 4:00pm.
AFL Darling Downs
Warwick Redbacks v Toowoomba
Saturday April 27, WCU Oval.
The game will kick off at 2:30pm.
AFL Townsville
Curra Swans v Hermit Park Tigers
Muldoon Oval, Saturday April 27.
The women’s game will begin at 11:30pm, Reserves at 1:10pm and the Seniors at 3:30pm
Thuringowa Bulldogs Vs Northern Beaches Suns
Riverway Stadium, Saturday April 27.
Women’s game begins at 3:30pm, the Reserves start at 5:00pm and the Seniors at 7:00pm.
AFL Wide Bay
Across the Waves Eagles v Brothers Bulldogs
Thursday, April 25, Norm McLean Oval
The game will commence at 2:00pm
Hervey Bay Bombers v Bay Power
Thursday, April 25, Norm McLean Oval
The game will commence at 4:30pm
