Player Column – Ryan Cook Anzac Day

IT IS always a privilege and honour to represent this football club on such a prestigious occasion in Anzac Day like we will in Monday’s derby at Fremantle Oval.

We get a bumper crowd who come along to watch two arch enemies in South and East do battle as the two proud clubs have for many years and I’m sure this Monday will be no exception.

Obviously a game of football cannot compare to anything these mostly young men and women went through all those years ago, all we can do is go out this Monday afternoon and play hard aggressive football and represent our football club and fans as best we can and hopefully do them proud.

I have been fortunate enough to have been involved in my fair share of Anzac football matches at local, AFL or state league level. My most memorable would have to be back in 2008 where I was lucky enough to play in an Anzac Day game on the MCG in front of 90,000 people for Collingwood.

The build up to the game is always such a big occasion and Mick Malthouse is one who would use the week to teach and inspire his players about the history of the Anzac’s.

I am always amazed at hearing the stories from the war, the week allows us all to bring everything into perspective and realise how lucky we are to be living in this day and age.

When I think of the Anzac’s three words come to the front of my mind – courage, commitment and camaraderie. What these people went through in striving to protect and stand up for this great country we cannot comprehend and I admire each and every one of them for doing so.

These three words for me also relate to football and should be a given come every week of the season, but as it goes teams have their ups and downs, the aim is to have consistency and have the same output week in week out.

This is something our reserves have definitely had and I am enjoying getting to the ground early and watching them go about their business, it’s great to have pressure for spots and watch our young up and coming players develop.

Our league side started the season off with a bang winning the three opening games, the last couple have been very disappointing and we will be using the hype of not only a derby but the big occasion of Anzac Day to get ourselves back on the winners list.

Get down to the kennel this Monday for a huge game.

Go the Doggies!