Dons-Pies ANZAC clash shatters COVID world record

More than 78,000 fans crowded the Melbourne Cricket Ground Sunday to watch Collingwood and Essendon clash on ANZAC Day — the biggest crowd for a sports event since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

The crowd of 78,113 topped the 67,000 who attended a Twenty20 cricket international between India and England at Ahmedabad last month.

The annual ANZAC Day match is one of the traditional highlights of the AFL season, when sport combines with a solemn national commemoration.

The match did not take place last year because of the pandemic and crowds since have been down on previous years.

But a decision by the Victoria State government to allow the Melbourne Cricket Ground to be filled to 85 percent of its capacity led to Sunday’s record turnout.

The MCG has a capacity of just over 100,000.

ANZAC Day — April 25 — is the day on which Australians commemorate those who served in both world wars and in other conflicts and peacekeeping operations.