Jersey presented as traditional Anzac clash looms

DRYSDALE Football Club will host Portarlington this year as their annual Anzac Day tradition continues.

The clash will take place at the Drysdale Recreation Reserve on Sunday April 25 at 2.10pm, while an Anzac Day Ceremony will be held around 1.30pm, which will include the cannon firing “salute” and a bag piper.

Anzac Day football matches between Drysdale and Portarlington football clubs started back in 2008, thanks to the tireless efforts and persistence of Allan Bliss.

Bliss wanted to ensure the significance of the day was known and shared among the younger generations and felt that a local football match between Drysdale and local rivals, Portarlington, would support this.

His efforts were rewarded and permission was received for the match to take place.

It was the first football match to be held by any clubs outside of the AFL and has been well attended and enjoyed by the local community.

In keeping with Bliss’ wishes for the significance of the day to be shared among the younger generations, a moving Anzac Day Service is held prior to the commencement of the match, with the support of the local RSL, honouring those – past and present – who have served.

In 2017, the Drysdale Football Club had the privilege of wearing specially designed Anzac Day commemorative jerseys during the match, which added further significance to the day.

Bliss kindly had one of the commemorative jerseys framed and recently presented it to the Drysdale RSL Sub-branch.

Drysdale RSL Sub-branch president Geoff Zanker was extremely honoured to receive this and accepted it on behalf of the club and members.

The Reserve Grade football will be commencing at 11.30am, the D Grade and B Grade Netball will be commencing at 12pm and the C Grade and A Grade Netball will be starting at 2.15pm.

Entry to the Anzac Day game is by gold coin donation to the Drysdale RSL between 11am and 1pm.