World Footy News

Nearly 3 years ago we reported on a story that first appeared on Channel 9's The Footy Show which said that a Turkish-Australian was developing the concept of the Essendon versus Collingwood ANZAC Day blockbuster being staged in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2015 for the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings in World War One.

The Age is reporting that the concept is not dead, in fact the man driving it, Ismail Ozsoy, claims to have secured written support from the Turkish government and succeeded in getting major sponsors on board.  Ozsoy is quoted as saying that:

''I don't want to get everyone too excited because if they [AFL] are not excited, there is no point.

''But they [Turkish government and businesses] have said 90 per cent. When it comes through the channels it has come from, and they have given it to me in writing as well, it doesn't matter whether the government goes by 2015, because it has been approved, it has to happen. But, of course, it takes two to tango.''

Ozsoy said the Returned Servicemen's League had endorsed the concept, which he estimates will cost up to $3 million.

''The Turkish government believe this event should be celebrated in a proper way and they should have Australian involvement.'

AFL House is closed over the Christmas - New Year period, so we wait with anticipation what their response will be.  Since this was first proposed the AFL has become more active internationally and as of this year there will also be the ANZAC Day match in New Zealand, so they may be more willing and confident of approving such an undertaking.

If moving the now traditional Essendon versus Collingwood match is too controversial then quite possibly other AFL clubs would like to grab the chance to effectively represent Australia on such a significant occasion.  The only major issues are likely to be sufficient rest periods in the fixture before and after the match, and guarantees about the quality of the surface if there's a need to extend over the athletics track.