Playing on Anzac Day was a big reason why Taylor Adams decided to join Collingwood from GWS
Taylor Adams was sitting in a GWS teammates’ lounge room when he realised he’d be playing in front of only 10,000 people. He was envious as he watched the Collingwood v Essendon Anzac Day game and that’s when he knew what he really wanted.
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Taylor Adams sat in a lounge room in Sydney surrounded by GWS Giants teammates glued to the 2013 Anzac Day blockbuster.
The baby Giants – then only 26 matches into existence and attracting a paltry 6000-8000 people to home games – rode every bump and goal as the Bombers rocked the MCG, running out 46 points winners in front 93,373 fans.
“I still remember watching … in one of the boys’ lounge rooms, and thinking, ‘Wow, we’re going to play in front of a maximum 10,000 people this week … here's a game with 95,000 there’,” Adams said.
“It’s certainly something as a player that wasn’t involved I really envied Collingwood and Essendon players on Anzac Day.”
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Unbeknown to Adams then, 12 months later, he too would be at the MCG as a Collingwood player watching Dane Swan and Steele Sidebottom run amok.
“One of the big reasons I wanted to go to Collingwood was to play in big games like Anzac Day, no doubt I think players that don’t get to play on Anzac Day certainly envy (the experience),” he said.
Adams has played in four Anzac Day games since and each time cherished the chance to commemorate the Anzacs and their spirit.
As important as football is, to Adams and everyone else, it is nothing compared to the sacrifices Australian and New Zealand soldiers have made in war times.
It is why Adams will commemorate the fallen today, as he has done previously, despite there not being a match to attend at the MCG due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Paying my respects to the people that have sacrificed in the past, and continue to sacrifice now, I think that's the most important thing about the day,” Adams said.
“The footy is awesome and the atmosphere at the MCG on the day is a great tradition … it’s because there's something really, really substantial behind it.
“Raising awareness and paying our respects to the people that have gone before us and sacrificed so much for us to be able to do what we do.”
TAYLOR ADAMS’ TOP THREE ANZAC DAY MOMENTS
SWANNY’S MONGREL PUNT
Round 6, 2014: Collingwood 83 def Essendon 60
“It was around the time people were saying he was coming to the end of his career … and he came out and performed the way he did (four goals and 26 disposals). That was pretty cool to see. He kicked that left foot goal from the boundary, a mongrel punt that ended up going through.”
MY FIRST ANZAC DAY
Round 4, 2015: Essendon 49 def by Collingwood 69
“It really is surreal standing out in the middle of the MCG with 90,000 silent people and then that massive roar after The Last Post. The first 10 minutes the crowd is riding every bump and goal, and key moments are amplified. It is as close to a finals game as you get.”
ZAKA’S GOAL
Round 5, 2009: Essendon 93 def Collingwood 88
“I was obviously a kid watching that, but I remember he was in his first year … and thinking, ‘Wow what an awesome experience’ that would’ve been for him to kick that goal and win the game’.”
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