The whole nation stops to commemorate the sacrifices of the thousands of young Australians who sacrificed their lives to provide the standard of living we currently enjoy.

And then they watch footy.

Both the AFL and NRL have traditional match-ups on Anzac Day, and both are among the highest drawing games every year.

The AFL’s Anzac Day match is an institution. Collingwood and Essendon have been battling on Anzac Day for the past 23 years.

In those 23 seasons, only four of the matches have failed to draw a crowd of at least 80,000, and three of those were due to disruptions surrounding the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

I’ve never had the privilege of going to one of these clashes, but I have friends that have been lucky enough to attend the AFL Anzac Day game.

They say the atmosphere both in the pre-game ceremonies and during play is amazing.

The match has produced many lasting highlights since its induction in 1995. Highlights of David Zaharakis kicking the winning goal for Essendon in 2009 is still played before every Anzac Day game.

It also made some players shine. Essendon legend James Hird won the Anzac Medal a record three times; Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury won two in a row in 2010-11. 

Possibly the most interesting are the unexpected stars. The Mark McGough’s of the world who win the Anzac Medal as a 17-year-old high schooler in 2002.

Tales are told of former Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse openly crying in the lead up to the match as he read accounts of VFL players who never made it back from the war.

Rugby league fans also have something to watch on Anzac Day, with the competition running two matches on the day.

The afternoon match has pitted the Sydney Roosters against the St George Illawarra Dragons since 2002.

The match has been close over the past few years, with the last three matches separated by a total of five points.

In recent times, the Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors have played each other on Anzac night. 

To me, this clash best sums up the Anzac Day experience. As important as the other two matches are, this is the only one that includes both Australia and New Zealand.

These two nations forged their identities in the horrors of World War One. The Australian flag flies with pride over the villages of Villers-Bretonneux and Pozieres to commemorate the work done by Australian soldiers.

The famous one is Gallipoli, a failed campaign that helped both Australians and New Zealanders build a sense of national pride.

My great-great-uncle was killed in France during WWI, and is buried at Armentieres. He was only 22 when he passed away.

My father will finally have the chance to visit his grave next year, something he’s been wanting for his entire life.

Many Australians will have similar stories: loved ones killed in action, buried on the other side of the world.

These stories are why Anzac Day is so important, and why so many love going to the footy to commemorate.