Queen's Birthday clash

The Queen's Birthday Holiday clash is an annual Australian rules football match between Australian Football League (AFL) teams Melbourne and Collingwood, held on the Queen's Birthday Holiday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

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]

In 1958 a record home and away crowd of 99,346 saw a top of the table clash between Melbourne and Collingwood.^[2]

Since 2001 the AFL has officially recognised the entire round as the Queens Birthday Round and only scheduled Collingwood against Melbourne at the MCG on the holiday Monday. Collingwood won the 2001 game by a then-record 77 points and Chris Tarrant took one of the marks of the year.

To date there has been no official trophy awarded to the winning team and no official medal has been awarded to the player judged best on field.

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.^[3] It has been suggested that other teams such as North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs should share the clash.^[4] The AFL has also threatened to change the fixture to another club if the attendances don't remain above 60,000.^[5]

Match results

Trivia

• The largest crowd was 78,773 in 2006. The lowest crowd was 56,988 in 2004.
• The most goals kicked by a Melbourne player in a single match is 7, which was achieved by Russell Robertson in 2007.
• The most goals kicked by a Collingwood player in a single match is also 7, which was achieved by Chris Tarrant in 2002.
• 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 a game is Nathan Buckley of Collingwood who was 33 years and 321 days old (2006).
• Three players have made their debut in a Queen's Birthday Holiday match;
  • Alex Fasolo of Collingwood in 2011.
  • Jack Watts of Melbourne in 2009.
  • Danny Stanley of Collingwood in 2007.
• The biggest winning margin is held by Collingwood who had an 88 point victory in 2011.
• Two player's have represented both teams in a Queen's Birthday Clash game.
  • Shane Woewodin (1999–2002 with Melbourne and 2003-2005 with Collingwood).
  • Darren Jolly (2002 with Melbourne and 2010 with Collingwood).
• The 2010 match was the first Queens Birthday Clash to result in a draw. It was the fifth ever draw between Collingwood and Melbourne and their first since 1957.

References