Two closely contested games were played out on Easter Saturday . In a thrilling finish the Gold Coast Suns defeated Port Power in Adelaide . The Gold Coast Captain , Gary Ablett , played a pivotal part in their win and has perhaps , now , silenced criticism , for staying in Melbourne for 2 extra days after their last defeat.

Carlton were successful against Adelaide , snatching victory by one goal . The beleaguered coach of the Crows , Neil Craig , will be under increasing scrutiny , as his team has had a poor start to the Season .
The eveness of the teams in the competition are reflected in the close results of all matches played so far .
The Anzac Day blockbuster between Collingwood and Essendon , and the following days Geelong Vs Hawthorn match , promise much for eager footy fans .

Lions were beaten on Thursday

Games were once played at smaller inner suburban grounds .

Collingwood , played at Victoria Park , Carlton ,at Princes Park , and  South Melbourne at Lakeside Oval.  North Melbourne played at Arden St , and Fitzroy , at Brunswick St Oval .Windy Hill was home to Essendon and the Punt Rd Oval housed Richmond , with Hawthorn at home in Glenferrie Oval ( the " sardine can ") .

Fans often walked , rode a bike or caught the tram / train, short distances , to these matches in their football jumpers, jerseys , guernseys.

Big crowds and big money have made these grounds obsolete.

Victoria Park languishes but was recently used as a prop for a TV series .
Princes Park has been redeveloped as a training facility for the Blues and is also home to a merchandise shop and office .

The Fitzroy Oval hosts VAFA local football , with a team that plays in the traditional,Fitzroy strip.Windy Hill is Essendon's, admin , training and spiritual home , as is the Punt Rd Oval for the Tigers.

Arden St, is the training and admin base for the Kangaroos,  and Lakeside Oval is a reception centre and home to local soccer side . Glenferrie Oval, is open public space .

The AFL"S , 70's white elephant , Waverley Park , is now home to residential housing , the notorious carpark buried under townhouses.

Big stadiums like Etihad at the Docklands and Melbourne's iconic MCG are home to weekend AFL Clashes.

Fans go in their thousands wearing their football jumpers, jerseys , guernseys to watch their beloved teams play on the big stage.

Vintage Jumper worn to the " Sardine Can " matches

Today is Anzac Day. A day when Australians as a Nation honour those
killed in War and those who survived.

Traditionally the AFL allow the two afl teams Collingwood and Essendon to play in the only match of the day at the MCG.

It must be asked is this fair and equitable to all the other teams in the competition and their fans?

These other teams and supporters have also lost family and loved ones to Australia's war efforts.

They also would like to attend a footy match on this day .

Ideally ,they would like to see their team play on Anzac Day.

Those two teams have enjoyed this preferential draw from the afl for a long time.

Why not West Coast ?

In the true Anzac spirit of the underdog prevailing against great adversity can other teams be given a chance to play?

A rotation amongst all the teams for match honours is fair and equitable .

All teams should get a chance to play on this one day a year.

Their fans should be able to choose to go and see them.

Will the match always remain between the afl' s two favoured sons or will the aussie way of all getting a fair go prevail?

Patriotic fans will don their teams jumper , jersey, guernsey and attend the sellout match just to be part of the spectacle and support footy .

Many would like to see a changing of the guard and have the match more fairly distributed between all clubs and their fans.

Why doesn't the AFL give it a go?

Protect the Baby Tigers