COVID-19 may have stopped the Essendon-Collingwood Anzac Day blockbuster, but it won't stop the AFL's annual Anzac Day ceremony
The Last Post will echo out into an empty MCG, played by a lone bugler, and the Ode of Remembrance will be recited and broadcastSocial distancing measures led to the 2020 season being suspended since the completion of round one, but AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said it was important Anzac Day be acknowledged by the football industry regardless.
"We know Anzac Day is not going to happen. But I have had correspondence and people asking if we can somehow do our bit to tie football to Anzac Day, for our industry to do its little bit to acknowledge the contributions of so many men and women," McLachlan told afl.com.au."And I am optimistic we will be able to do something small and entirely appropriate for the time and in keeping with the customs and protocols we are doing in keeping our community safe.
Anzac Day events have been cancelled across the country due to COVID-19 but the RSL has launched the #standto and #lightupthedawn campaign, asking people to stand in their driveways, balconies, front gardens and light a candle or use their phones to commemorate the dawn service as they would at a big event.
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