Tomorrow, as many rise at the crack of dawn to pay their respects to those that have served our country, both past and present, we remember those that have fallen in the midst of battle.
Anzac Day is a day of reflection that puts everything into perspective and allows all of us to look back on the sacrifices that were made by men and women out in the battlefield to protect our country.
The Cheltenham Football Netball Club and Bentleigh Football Netball Club have been playing on this sacred day for more than ten years, with the Cheltenham-Bentleigh RSL sponsoring both these clubs, allowing the Rosellas and the Demons to pay their respects on April 25 each and every year.
Life member and former President of the Bentleigh Football Netball Club, Gary Matlock said the game came about after discussions between the two clubs played off against one another in the old federal league.
"The discussion was that we were going to have one year at Bentleigh and then one year at Cheltenham, but given Cheltenham have done everything so well, that we'd leave the game at Cheltenham.
"We struck up an Anzac Day trophy that the two teams play off for. We've played those games ever since and we have a table of people that go to the day and to Cheltenham's luncheon that they hold."
Matlock outlined that while it's always competitive on the field, there's a mutual respect between one another with Bentleigh members now involved at Cheltenham.
"We've got a few former players that are now members of Cheltenham and there's now a fairly healthy relationship between the two clubs, as well as the Under 19's level."
"There's no animosity between the two teams, there's a healthy respect between the two teams,"
Cheltenham president Adam King has been tasked with leading the charge for tomorrow's game
"We always talk about that over 103,000 people have lost their lives while fighting for the country and we always mention that's the capacity of the MCG and it's amazing to look at that and think about all those that have sacrificed their lives,"
King says they have plenty of guest speakers available, including for AFL Administrator Greg Miller who's father fought in World War 1.
"We're obviously going to have a ceremony before the game, with the ode, the minute silence and the national anthem. We're hoping the rain stays away and we can get a big crowd down to the game and hopefully it'll be a good contest.
"In the whole scheme of life, it's not really relevant what the result is tomorrow with everything that those that have fought for us have gone through and sacrificed, but it's our little way to reflect and have the honour of playing on the day and pay our respects the best we can,"
Cheltenham will be looking to continue their unbeaten run to start the 2024 season while the Demons young group will be looking to challenge themselves against the best in the competition.
