ANZAC Day brings us many connections, and one important link is AFL football. AFL matches played around 25th April include an ANZAC reference as part of the ceremony and many regard the match between Collingwood and Essendon at the MCG on ANZAC Day a very special occasion (some of our veterans have been known to leave the reunion early to reach the first bounce).
Our picture has an Aussie Rules connection. It was taken in Canada in 1943 at the No.2 Calgary Wireless School, 66 course. There are probably a number of Odd Bods in this photo and we can identify three. In the back row, 5th from the left is Odd Bod Keam Irving, and 7th in line is Odd Bod Maurie Smith. In the front row, on the far right is George Smith.
We understand this team played against an EFTS team, the only other Australian Rules team in their area. Maurie Smith tells us that he also played in a Rugby team as fullback in Canada because Aussie Rules players knew how to mark and kick.
After the war George Smith played for the Blackburn Football Club as full forward, while Maurie Smith played for Old Scotch Collegians in the A Grade Amateurs.
It should be noted here that our ANZAC Luncheon Guest Speaker this year, Wing Commander Mike Oram RAAF, delivered the ball to the centre of the MCG in a special service at the ANZAC Eve match between AFL teams Melbourne & Richmond.
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