PORT Adelaide will continue its tradition of hosting an Anzac Round clash, with the AFL locking the club in for the Saturday night home game next season.
The 2016 fixture (to be released on Thursday) sees the Power take on Geelong in Round 5 in a commemorative clash under lights at Adelaide Oval.
It’ll be the 13th year in a row the club’s hosted a game associated with the RSL, with CEO Keith Thomas the significance of the event for Port Adelaide and the wider AFL community.
“We are proud of our history and the Anzac Round gives us a great opportunity every year to remember those people and all Australians that have been involved in conflicts,’’ Thomas said.
“We really appreciate the AFL’s support in allowing us to continue this tradition.”
It’ll be déjà vu for the 47,000 supporters who turned out to see Port Adelaide take on Geelong in the 2014 Anzac Round, while last year’s Saturday night clash with Hawthorn also proved popular, attracting over 50,000 people to Adelaide Oval.
The club has developed a strong relationship with the RSL, working closely with the South Australian branch around Anzac Day commemorations for the home clashes since 2004.
The organisation will again come on board as the club’s Anzac game day charity in 2016, receiving proceeds of the sale of commemorative guernseys and other fundraising.
RSLSA CEO Julia Langrehr says the relationship between Port Adelaide and the RSL has continued to grow over the years.
“The RSL are very pleased to be the charity event for AFL Anzac Round and the last two games at Adelaide Oval have been fantastic spectacles,” Langrehr said.
Port Adelaide will also look to continue the tradition of wearing commemorative guernseys as well as honouring the player judged best on ground with the Peter Badcoe VC medal.
The Anzac Round clash v Geelong will take place at 7.10pm on Saturday, April 23 at Adelaide Oval.