How a 97-year-old Tasmanian law forced a change to the AFL's Anzac Day blockbuster
The AFL has been forced to change the start time of two games, including their Anzac Day blockbuster clash between Collingwood and Essendon, due to a 97-year-old Tasmanian law.
With Anzac Day falling on a Saturday this year, the AFL has scheduled four games across the day.
The first of those will take place in Tasmania, between Hawthorn and Gold Coast and was scheduled to start at 12.15pm AEST.
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The Bombers line up as part of the the Anzac Observance in 2025. AFL Photos via Getty Images
However, Tasmania's Anzac Day Observance Act 1929 prevents any sporting events in the state on Anzac Day starting before 12.30pm.
"Any event at sports to which this section applies and that are held on Anzac Day must not commence before 12.30pm," the act reads.
The act states any sporting body that breaks this law can be subject to fines.
Because of this, the new start time for the Hawks vs. Suns has been pushed back to 12.30pm, with the opening bounce scheduled for 12.32pm.
The flow-on effect means the Essendon-Collingwood MCG blockbuster will now start at 3.20pm, pushed back five minutes to minimise overlap.
The AFL previously played games in Tassie on Anzac Day in 2021 and 2022, with both games scheduled to start at 12.30pm.
However, the near-100-year-old legislation was clearly missed when putting together the 2026 fixture.
In a statement, AFL head of scheduling Josh Bowler thanked the clubs, broadcasters and venues for accommodating the change.
"Due to legislative requirements in Tasmania on Anzac Day we have adjusted the start time of the Hawthorn versus Gold Coast Suns match," the AFL statement read.
"Subsequently as a result of this change, to minimise the overlap between that match and the MCG match, we've further adjusted the start time to 3.20pm, previously 3.15pm."
An Anzac Day game in Tassie in 2022 between Geelong and North Melbourne. Getty
Over 92,000 fans turned up to the MCG for the Pies-Bombers clash in 2025. The game has drawn a crowd of more than 90,000 every season since 2023.
Port Adelaide will host Geelong at 6.35pm and Fremantle hosts Carlton at 8.15pm to conclude what has become a marquee day on the AFL calendar.
The start times of the night games have not been changed.
Richmond and Melbourne will once again face off in the Anzac Day eve match, which falls on Friday night this year.
While it has become another great tribute to the Anzacs, the timing this year means two struggling sides will face off in the primetime Friday night slot.
