Queen's Birthday match

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Queen's Birthday match
Aussi Rule Football - Queen's Birthday Holiday clash.jpg
Panorama of the 2011 Queen's Birthday match
LocaleMelbourne, Victoria
TeamsMelbourne
Collingwood
First meeting11 June 2001
Melbourne 57-134 Collingwood
Latest meeting14 June 2021
Melbourne 63-80 Collingwood
Next meeting13 June 2022
BroadcastersSeven Network (2001, 2012–present)
Network Ten (2002–2011)
StadiumsMelbourne Cricket Ground 2001 - Present
Statistics
Most player appearancesBrad Green (Melbourne), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
13 matches
All-time series (Australian Football League only)Collingwood (13 Wins)
Draw(s) 1
Melbourne (7 Wins)
Largest victoryCollingwood - 88 points
13 June 2011
Longest win streakCollingwood, 5
2011 - 2015
Longest unbeaten streakCollingwood, 8
2008 - 2015
Current win streakCollingwood, 3
2018 - Present

The Queen's Birthday match is an annual Australian rules football match between the Melbourne Football Club and Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the Queen's Birthday public holiday in Victoria (the second Monday in June).

History[]

Football has been played on the Queen's or King's Birthday holiday since the first season of the Victorian Football League in 1897.[1]

The rivalry between Collingwood and Melbourne goes back many years. In 1958 a record non-finals crowd of 99,256 saw a top of the table match between the two teams.[2]

Since 2001, the AFL has only scheduled Melbourne against Collingwood at the MCG on the public holiday. The round in which the game is played is sometimes referred to as the "Queen's Birthday Round", although this is somewhat misleading as Queensland and Western Australia do not celebrate a public holiday on that date.

Introduced in 2015, the player adjudged best-afield is awarded the Neale Daniher Trophy.[3]

In 2021, the match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, due to a COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria which plunged the state into its fourth lockdown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Big Freeze, however, still went ahead at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.[4]

Benefits[]

As Collingwood has one of the largest supporter bases in Victoria, the opportunity to host them on a public holiday is seen as a major financial benefit to Melbourne.[5] It had previously been suggested that other teams such as North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs should share the match.[6] In 2008 the AFL threatened to change the fixture to another club if the attendances did not remain above 60,000.[7]

Match results[]

This table lists all Queen's Birthday matches since it became an annual fixture between Melbourne and Collingwood in 2001.

Year Winner Melbourne score Collingwood score Margin Attendance Best on ground1
2001 Collingwood 8.9 (57) 19.20 (134) 77 62,761 Anthony Rocca (Collingwood)
2002 Collingwood 10.15 (75) 19.12 (126) 51 65,860 Chris Tarrant (Collingwood)
2003 Collingwood 10.17 (77) 20.13 (133) 56 60,010* Paul Licuria (Collingwood)
2004 Melbourne 12.10 (82) 11.7 (73) 9 56,988* Josh Fraser (Collingwood)
2005 Melbourne 17.15 (117) 10.12 (72) 45 65,347* Travis Johnstone (Melbourne)
2006 Melbourne 22.9 (141) 14.10 (94) 47 78,773 Cameron Bruce (Melbourne)
2007 Melbourne 13.16 (94) 11.15 (81) 13 70,660 Russell Robertson (Melbourne)
2008 Collingwood 13.17 (95) 17.14 (116) 21 59,548 Tarkyn Lockyer (Collingwood)
2009 Collingwood 8.12 (60) 19.12 (126) 66 61,287 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
2010 Draw 11.10 (76) 9.22 (76) 0 67,454 Aaron Davey (Melbourne)
2011 Collingwood 6.5 (41) 19.15 (129) 88 75,998 Sharrod Wellingham (Collingwood)
2012 Collingwood 13.9 (87) 19.15 (129) 42 64,250 Dane Swan (Collingwood)
2013 Collingwood 5.9 (39) 17.20 (122) 83 50,853 Dane Swan (Collingwood)
2014 Collingwood 3.10 (28) 8.13 (61) 33 68,124 Bernie Vince (Melbourne)
2015 Collingwood 13.7 (85) 17.8 (110) 25 66,120 Travis Cloke (Collingwood)2
2016 Melbourne 16.8 (104) 8.10 (58) 46 60,158 Max Gawn (Melbourne)
2017 Melbourne 15.14 (104) 15.10 (100) 4 70,926 Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
2018 Collingwood 14.7 (91) 20.13 (133) 42 83,518 Mason Cox (Collingwood)2
2019 Collingwood 7.15 (57) 15.8 (98) 41 74,036 Adam Treloar (Collingwood)
2020 No match played due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Collingwood 9.9 (63) 11.14 (80) 17 16,4533 Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

* Capacity reduced due to redevelopment at the MCG
1 2001–2014: three Brownlow votes, 2015–present: Neale Daniher trophy
2 Player also received three Brownlow votes
3 Match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground instead of the Melbourne Cricket Ground

Big Freeze at the 'G[]

In 2014, former Melbourne coach for ten years (1998–2007) Neale Daniher was diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) and set about helping raise funds for researching the disease.[8] The Big Freeze at the 'G is a Motor Neurone Disease fundraiser event at the MCG partner with the AFL's Queen's Birthday match. In support of the "Cure for MND Foundation", several well known football and television personalities get dunked into a giant ice pool before the start of the game. Such personalities usually pledge to raise $10,000 for vital MND research after being nominated, and once successful at hitting this target, they then get to pass on the challenge and nominate the next personality into the "cold seat". This person in turn will raise funds and agree to "Freeze for MND" if their fundraising goal is met. The challenge will continue right up until the game, with each celebrity challenging the next.[9][10]

Participants[]

Big Freeze 1 (2015)[]

Over $2.2 million was raised.[11]

  • Tim Watson, former Essendon player, AFL commentator for the Seven Network.
  • Sam Lane, Television and radio personality, journalist and commentator.
  • Ross Stevenson, radio personality for 3AW.
  • Dermott Brereton, former Hawthorn player, television and radio commentator for Fox Footy and SEN 1116.
  • Sam Newman, former Geelong player, TV and radio personality, host of The Footy Show.
  • Brian Taylor, former Collingwood player, TV and radio commentator for the Seven Network and Triple M.
  • Garry Lyon, former Melbourne player, TV and radio commentator, host of The Footy Show.
  • Mick Molloy, comedian, TV and radio personality for Triple M.
  • Mark Robinson, Journalist, television and newspaper personality, host of AFL 360.
  • Bryan 'Strauchanie' Strauchan, fictional comedic character created by Peter Helliar, TV and radio personality.

Big Freeze 2 (2016)[]

Over $4 million was raised.[12]

  • Matthew Richardson, former Richmond player, AFL commentator for the Seven Network.
  • Matthew Lloyd, former Essendon player, AFL commentator for 3AW.
  • Kevin Sheedy, legendary AFL player and coach.
  • Eddie McGuire, President of Collingwood, AFL commentator for Fox Footy and Triple M radio.
  • David Koch, President of Port Adelaide, host of Sunrise.
  • Samantha Armytage, Australian journalist, host of Sunrise.
  • Jonathan Brown, former Brisbane Lions player, TV and radio personality, Fox Footy and Nova 100.
  • Anthony Lehmann, comedian, TV and radio personality, Network Ten and Gold 104.3.
  • Cameron Ling, former Geelong player, AFL commentator for the Seven Network.
  • Gerard Whateley, ABC Sports commentator, host of AFL 360.
  • Dave Hughes, comedian, TV and radio personality, recurring panellist on The Footy Show.

Big Freeze 3 (2017)[]

  • Lleyton Hewitt, Australian tennis champion, former world number 1.
  • Steve Hooker, Australian Pole Vaulter, Olympic gold medallist.
  • Alisa Camplin, Australian aerial skier, Olympic gold medallist.
  • Steven Bradbury, Australian speed skater, Olympic gold medallist.
  • Steve Moneghetti, Australian long-distance runner, Commenwealth gold medallist.
  • Andrew Gaze, Australian basketballer, 2x NBA champion.
  • Sharelle McMahon, Australian netballer
  • Adam Gilchrist, Australian cricketer

Big Freeze 4 (2018)[]

  • Don Pyke, Adelaide senior coach
  • Chris Fagan, Brisbane Lions senior coach
  • Brendon Bolton, Carlton senior coach
  • Nathan Buckley, Collingwood senior coach
  • John Worsfold, Essendon senior coach
  • Ross Lyon, Fremantle senior coach
  • Chris Scott, Geelong senior coach
  • Stuart Dew, Gold Coast senior coach
  • Leon Cameron, Greater Western Sydney senior coach
  • Alastair Clarkson, Hawthorn senior coach
  • Simon Goodwin, Melbourne senior coach
  • Brad Scott, North Melbourne senior coach
  • Ken Hinkley, Port Adelaide senior coach
  • Damien Hardwick, Richmond senior coach
  • John Longmire, Sydney Swans senior coach
  • Alan Richardson, St Kilda senior coach
  • Adam Simpson, West Coast Eagles senior coach
  • Luke Beveridge, Western Bulldogs senior coach

Big Freeze 5 (2019)[]

  • Cyril Rioli, former Hawthorn player
  • Lauren Jackson, former basketball player
  • Dane Swan, former Collingwood player
  • Nick Riewoldt, former St Kilda player
  • Brendan Fevola, former Carlton & Brisbane Lions player
  • Jimmy Bartel, former Geelong player
  • Anna Meares, former Olympic cyclist
  • Bianca Chatfield, former netball player
  • Jobe Watson, former Essendon player
  • Chris Judd, former West Coast & Carlton player
  • Liam Picken, former Western Bulldogs player
  • Bob Murphy, former Western Bulldogs player
  • Sam Mitchell, former Hawthorn & West Coast player
  • Brent Harvey, former North Melbourne player

Big Freeze 6 (2020)[]

No Queen's Birthday match was played due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a Big Freeze event occurred with a player from every club involved.[13]

Big Freeze 7 (2021)[]

  • Craig Bellamy, Melbourne Storm (NRL) coach
  • Abbey Holmes, former Adelaide player
  • Billy Brownless, former Geelong player
  • Shane Crawford, 1999 Brownlow Medal winner and former Hawthorn player
  • Ray Chamberlain, AFL umpire
  • Sharni Norder, former netball player and Collingwood player, Bounce panelist
  • Sarah Jones, Fox Footy host
  • Jeff Farmer, former Melbourne and Fremantle player
  • Daisy Pearce, Melbourne captain
  • Gillon McLachlan, AFL CEO

Source

Neale Daniher Trophy[]

Since the event's inception, the player adjudged best afield in the Queen's Birthday match has been awarded the Neale Daniher Trophy.

  • 2015: Travis Cloke (Collingwood)
  • 2016: Max Gawn (Melbourne)
  • 2017: Christian Petracca (Melbourne)
  • 2018: Mason Cox (Collingwood)
  • 2019: Adam Treloar (Collingwood)
  • 2021: Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)

Trivia[]

  • The most wins is eleven, by Collingwood.
  • The most consecutive wins is five, by Collingwood (2011–2015).
  • The largest crowd was 83,518 in 2018. The lowest crowd was 16,453a in 2021.
  • The biggest winning margin is held by Collingwood who had an 88-point victory in 2011.
  • The 2010 match is the only Queen's Birthday match to result in a draw and their first between each other since 1957.
  • The highest score was 141 points, by Melbourne in 2006. The lowest score by a team was 28 points, also by Melbourne in 2014.
  • The most best on ground awards a player has received is two, which was achieved by Dane Swan (2012–2013).
  • The most goals kicked by a Melbourne player in a single match is seven, which was achieved by Russell Robertson in 2007. The most goals kicked by a Collingwood player in a single match is also seven, which was achieved by Chris Tarrant in 2002 and Travis Cloke in 2015.
  • The youngest player to play in the game is Mark McGough of Collingwood who was 17 years and 353 days old (2002).
  • The oldest player to play in the game is Nathan Buckley of Collingwood who was 33 years and 321 days old (2006).
  • Mark Neeld represented both sides in a coaching capacity at Collingwood (2008–2011 as an assistant coach) and Melbourne (2012–2013 as head coach).[14] The 2013 Queen's Birthday match was Neeld's final game as Melbourne head coach; he was sacked a week after the match.[15]

a The 2021 match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, instead of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, due to COVID-19 concerns in Victoria.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ 1897 Match Results (Queen Victoria was born on 24 May)
  2. ^ Memorable Moments Archived 17 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Collins, Ben (8 June 2015). "Best player to receive Neale Daniher Trophy". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  4. ^ "Big Freeze match moves to the SCG". Australian Football League. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  5. ^ 2009 Fixtures: Club by Club Analysis
  6. ^ Gough, Paul Dees don't deserve headline act[permanent dead link]
  7. ^ Spits, Scott (6 June 2008) Dees risk losing Queen's Birthday clash; The Age
  8. ^ Neale Daniher interview with Tim Watson (18 Aug 2014)
  9. ^ Cure 4 MND: Tim Watson interviews Neale Daniher
  10. ^ Freeze MND official site
  11. ^ Big Freeze at the 'G: Stars take the plunge to raise huge sum
  12. ^ Navaratnam, Dinny (13 June 2016). "Big freeze 2: Sheeds turns Tinkerbell as fans raise over $4m to help fight MND". AFL.com.au. Bigpond. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
  13. ^ Knox, David (25 May 2020). "Returning: AFL: The Big Freeze". TV Tonight. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
  14. ^ Natoli, David (6 June 2013). "Ultimate Queen's Birthday Preview". Collingwood Football Club official website. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  15. ^ Ralph, Jon; Warner, Michael (18 June 2013). "Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has been sacked, and now the Dees want premiership mentor Paul Roos". Herald Sun. Retrieved 12 June 2017.

External links[]

Coordinates: 37°49′12″S 144°59′00″E / 37.82000°S 144.98333°E / -37.82000; 144.98333

Retrieved from ""