By ROY WARD
CLAYTON and East Malvern will play a special stand-alone game at Meade Reserve, Clayton, on Anzac Day.
The clubs have had the game endorsed by the RSL, AFL Victoria and the Southern Football League with the special Thursday game to be played in the early afternoon so supporters can take it in before the AFL clash between Collingwood and Essendon.
Clays coach Ben McGee said he was excited about the match which would be the SFL’s only Anzac Day game and possibly the only one in Melbourne’s southern suburbs, with the Eastern Football League and VAFA yet to announce if any of its clubs will play.
McGee instigated the match bringing together the two clubs as his father, Patrick McGee, was a veteran of the Vietnam War and an active member of East Malvern RSL.
He said the Clays were working to also involve the Clayton RSL in the match.
“We want to keep the legacy of Anzac Day moving and progressing,” he said.
“We want to engage the veteran community and at the same time allow both clubs to pay their respects to fallen servicemen and women.”
Both clubs and the league have worked together on the game which McGee hopes will be a success.
The club also expects to have musicians available to perform the Last Post and the national anthem before the game as is the custom at Anzac Day sporting events.
“The support from the league has been fantastic,” McGee said.
“Matt Duck has been a great help in making sure we dot the ‘Is’ and cross the ‘Ts’.”
McGee said it was also a way to welcome East Malvern into division 1.
The match could also add more incentive for the club to stay in division 1 for next season.
“My attitude about Clayton is that while I’m here we are never going to get relegated,” McGee said.
“And we would love to see East Malvern stay up this season so next year we can return the favour and let them host the Anzac Day game.”
The clubs will play for a cup, possibly called the Monash Cup, and award medals to the most courageous player in each team.
For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter @DandyJournal.
