AFL praised the “great touch” at the Anzac ceremony before the Western Bulldogs vs. Fremantle Dockers game
The AFL are applauded for an extra touch at the Anzac pre-game ceremony at Optus Stadium for the Fremantle-Western Bulldogs opener.
Army veterans were included in the teams’ rosters and stood side-by-side between each and every player as The Last Post took place ahead of the Advance Australia Fair.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Rory Lobb stands in front of the old page.
They were also joined by the Catafalque Party of the Western Australia University Regiment, which led the proceedings.
“The veterans standing alongside the players is a great thing,” said one fan of the ceremony.
Elsewhere in the league, St Kilda have confirmed Jack Steele and Tim Membrey will return from injuries to bolster Ross Lyon’s line-up in the form of an intriguing AFL contest with Carlton.
Saints captain Steele underwent surgery on a broken collarbone last month and is returning after missing just three games to help his side recover from their first loss of the season.
Veteran forward Membrey was called up for his first game of the year at Marvel Stadium on Sunday after a delayed start due to a knee injury.
The 28-year-old’s timely return comes as young striker Anthony Caminiti is set to miss the next three games through suspension.
Carlton has handed mature recruit Alex Cincotta his debut in place of injured star Adam Saad (hamstring), while Mitch McGovern is back from a calf injury.
Young, tall Tom De Koning was managed and Marc Pittonet was cleared for ruck duties shoulders despite suffering a blow to the eye last week.
Assistant coach Ash Hansen said Membrey’s addition to Caminiti wouldn’t drastically change Carlton’s defensive plans, but noted the 153-game striker had scored seven goals in his last two games against the Blues.
“Membrey is a more mature player and historically has played well against us,” Hansen told reporters on Friday.
“When he comes back he will be fresh so we will respect him.
“He’s going to give them some maturity and his ability to run and move the ball is dangerous.”
Gold Coast have also recalled an experienced duo, with co-captain Jarrod Witts and key striker Levi Casboult back in action at home against North Melbourne on Sunday.
Witts missed two games with back pain and Casboult was managed last week.
The pair are crucial to the Suns’ chances of toppling the Kangaroos, who lost co-captain Jy Simpkin (Hand).
Former Gold Coast dashers Aaron Hall and Paul Curtis have been recalled, and another ex-Suns player Hugh Greenwood has a chance to reappear as North’s backup.
In-form Adelaide are unchanged for the trip to Launceston on Sunday to take on Hawthorn, who has signed Max Lynch to replace compatriot Lloyd Meek and rested midfielder Josh Ward.
– With AAP
