Australian Defence Force take on NT emergency services in annual Anzac Shield

The Australian Defence Force will take on the NT’s emergency services personnel in the annual Anzac Shield football match. Here’s everything you need to know about the game.

A football match to commemorate those lost in service to Australia will pit the Australian Defence Force against the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services at TIO Stadium.

It’s the third year of the Anzac Shield, a game played to honour the fallen, celebrate the services and raise money for charity.

But it’s also a fiercely competitive game, with the services that so often work hand in hand getting their chance to go head to head on the field.

Constable first class Todd Hayes has been involved in the initiative for the past three years and has once again taken on the coaching role for the NTPFES side.

“We’ve got a pretty good side, a real good mix of newcomers and some experience from previous years,” Constable Hayes said.

“In the end it’s about the legacy and about the spirit that goes with the connections between the ADF and the emergency services.

TSenior firefighter Jamie Pay Senior Constable Tanith Blair, Private Lilly Badcock & Private Aidan Maher. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“Especially up here in the NT we work hand in hand when it comes to floods and such things.

“It’s a Legacy charity game played in remembrance, but once we step over the white line it will be a competitive game, and then afterwards we will shake hands and have a beer.”

Private Lilly Badcock called the game one of great importance which she was privileged to be a part of for a second year in a row.

“This is my second year playing and it was a really great privilege to come up and play with a good group of girls,” she said.

The ADF will take on PFES in an annual Anzac Day AFL match. Pic: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“It’s a really important game that both teams want to win, we want to come out and give it our best.

“We a really different mix of player this years, some players with no experience, some that have just come up this week as we get them released.”

Gates will open at 3.30pm, Sunday with a commemorative service followed by an ARH Tiger flyover, then the women’s game takes place from 4.15pm, followed by the men’s at 6.15pm.