THE OPPORTUNITY to play on ANZAC Day Eve is something the Melbourne Football Club doesn’t take lightly.

With a meaningful connection to World War I and World War II, this round allows the Demons to connect to their history, acknowledging the players and officials who went to battle on the country’s behalf.

The club saw great tragedy throughout this time, with 30 Melbourne players losing their lives at war.

The chance to reflect on those heroes of Melbourne’s past is something captain Max Gawn is honoured to do.

“I love this game for multiple reasons,” Gawn said.

“Firstly, the chance to be able to play in a game that is about remembering.

“Nothing that we do out on the field can be put in any sort of context with what they did out in war and we understand that.

“But some of the values we can get from that and be able to put on show – it’s a really exciting and privileged game to play in.”

There is a great deal of perspective when approaching a game of such significance, but the importance of Sunday’s clash with Richmond runs deeper.

Keith ‘Bluey’ Truscott and Ronald Barassi Snr played the final games of their careers against the Tigers, before tragically passing away.

Truscott, who played 50 matches for the club between 1937 and 1942, won two premierships for the Dees, and is now honoured at the club’s best and fairest night, with the top award named after him. 

In a touching tribute, a number of the Demons’ best and fairest awards are dedicated to war servants, with Barassi’s name tied to the third-place trophy.

Barassi was also a premiership player in 1940, pulling on the red and blue on 58 occasions. 

The ANZAC Day Eve match at the MCG is also significant, as the Demons’ spiritual home was used for accommodation during the Second World War.