Annual Anzac Day match headlines big week of AFL on Seven

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• The on-field action kicks off on Friday

Collingwood and Essendon clash in the annual Anzac Day match as part of a week of live and free AFL on the Seven Network this Sunday.

Since their inaugural Anzac Day match in 1995, the Magpies and Bombers have taken their rivalry to new heights with a series of matches on one of the most significant days on our national calendar.

This year, both teams strive to get their 2021 campaigns back on track after disappointing 1-4 starts to the season. Seven’s broadcast begins at 2.00pm AEST Sunday on Channel 7 and 7mate, and includes the traditional pre-game Anzac observance ceremony.

The AFL’s commentary team will lead Seven’s round six coverage this weekend, featuring Brian Taylor, James Brayshaw, Hamish McLachlan, Luke Hodge, Wayne Carey, Abbey Holmes, Luke Darcy, Matthew Richardson, and Jude Bolton.

Two of the biggest figures in Anzac Day matchs, Collingwood’s coach in the inaugural game, Leigh Matthews, and former Bombers captain Jobe Watson, who played 11 times on the big occasion, will be part of Seven’s on-air line-up.

Fans will also be taken behind the scenes at Collingwood and Essendon in the lead-up to Sunday as both clubs reflect on the honour of playing on Anzac Day, while current Pies and Dons stars relive some of the great moments of past matches in Commentary Recall.

Seven will also share the stories of some of the VFL/AFL players who served in the Armed Forces, including former Geelong wingman Wayne Closter who served in Vietnam in between playing 191 games from 1964 to 1975.

The live and free week of footy starts when The Front Bar returns to Thursday night for the first time in 2021. St Kilda great Stewart Loewe is set to join Mick Molloy, Sam Pang and Andy Maher at the bar on Channel 7 and 7plus at 8.30pm in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, and 11.10pm in Sydney and Brisbane.

The on-field action kicks off on Friday when the GWS Giants and Western Bulldogs square off at Manuka Oval. The live and free coverage begins at 7.00pm AEST on Channel 7 and 7mate.

On Saturday night, Seven hosts the undefeated Demons as they meet reigning premier Richmond at the MCG in the Anzac Day Eve fixture. On a night when former skipper Nathan Jones will become just the second Melbourne player to reach 300 games, and one of the competition’s stars, Dustin Martin, plays his 250th match, fans can tune in from 6.30pm AEST on Channel 7 and 7mate.

Managing director Seven Melbourne and head of network sport, Lewis Martin, said: “There are few more spine-tingling moments than when Collingwood and Essendon players run out together for the Anzac Day match. The game has become one of the AFL’s greatest occasions, on a day when Australians, young and old, pause to give thanks to the men and women who have served – and continue to serve – our country so bravely.

“In a massive round six on Seven, fans will also enjoy the latest instalment in the ever- growing Giants-Bulldogs rivalry and a potential finals preview between two of 2021’s genuine flag contenders, Melbourne and Richmond. You won’t want to miss a second of the action, live and free on Your Home of Footy.”

After Friday night’s Giants-Bulldogs grudge match, Adam Cooney and Cam Luke will settle in on the Armchair Experts sofa to give their take on all the fallout from the big match on Channel 7, 7mate and 7plus.

On Monday night, premiership teammates and footy mavericks Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas will give fans a view of the game’s biggest stories on the brand-new Heater and Daisy Show on 7plus.

In the SANFL, South Adelaide and Sturt square off on Saturday at Flinders University Stadium in a round four clash live from 3.00pm ACST on Channel 7 in Adelaide and 7plus.

In round four of the WAFL, Perth meets cross-town rival East Perth at Mineral Resources Park on Sunday. Seven’s coverage begins at 4.00pm AWST on 7mate in Perth and 7plus.

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