Live: MCG set for Anzac Day observance ahead of Magpies-Bombers match

Hello and welcome to ABC’s live coverage of AFL action on Anzac Day.

Thirty years ago today, Collingwood and Essendon joined with the RSL to stage a game to pay tribute to the men and women who had served Australia, including those who gave their lives on various continents.

That day featured so many highlights, including nine goals to the Pies’ Saverio Rocca, and a heart-pounding finish that left honours even.

Since then, every April 25 — except for the COVID-affected year of 2020 — these two sides have met, and the stirring Anzac Day commemoration now extends to every game of the round as the community comes together for football, respect and remembrance.

Today the Magpies and Bombers will meet again, the Last Post will be played, and a perfect silence will give way to the roar of 90,000-plus at the MCG.

Then later this evening, attention will swing to the west, where Fremantle will host the Adelaide Crows in the Len Hall Tribute Game at Perth Stadium. For the first time the Arthur Leggett Medal will be awarded for best-on-ground, in honour of WWII veteran Arthur Leggett, who died earlier this month at the age of 106.

My name is Andrew McGarry and I will be bringing you the action this afternoon, before Chris De Silva joins us later for Fremantle vs Adelaide.