For the fourth time in its history, Adelaide will take the field on Anzac Day, as it faces Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Friday night. 

The clash will be the 28th iteration of the Len Hall Tribute game, a match Fremantle has hosted every year since 1996 on Anzac weekend, to honour those who have served.

The AFL’s ANZAC Appeal Round, which this year runs from April 24-27, is a tribute to those who have made, and continue to make, sacrifices for their country.

Below are some key facts you should know ahead of the Friday night blockbuster in the west. 

What it means to play on Anzac Day

The significance of playing on Anzac Day is not lost on Crows ruckman Reilly O’Brien. 

For the second time in his AFL career, the Adelaide Vice Captain will lace the boots on April 25, in what he described as one of the “most important days on the calendar.”

“It’s very, very special, Anzac Day is one of the most important days for me on the calendar, it’s a great time to reflect on how lucky we are to live in the country we do, and the sacrifices that have gone before us,” O’Brien said.

“It’s always very humbling to be able to play the national game on such a momentous day, it’s an amazing opportunity. 

“Playing on Anzac Day, it puts things into perspective, when you reflect on what those servicemen and women have been through, it almost makes footy seem simple. 

“So I’ll definitely take some inspiration and gratitude from that into Friday’s game.” 

Commemorative Anzac Guernsey 

For the second straight season, Adelaide will don a commemorative Anzac guernsey to honour Australian servicemen and women. 

Following on from the success of the 2024 design, the guernsey continues last year’s core theme of the sunset and bugler, inspired by the line in the Ode of Remembrance  “at the going down of the sun.” 

This year’s version reflects the next line in the Ode - “and in the morning,” with an inverted design symbolising the rising of the sun. 

“I love the guernsey, it is so special to be able to pay tribute to our service men and women in this way,” O’Brien said.

“It’s a real privilege to be out there playing, representing those who served in some small way, and being able to recognise the amazing sacrifices that have gone before us and those still going on to this day.”

Crows’ Anzac Day history 

Adelaide has played three matches on April 25 (Anzac Day) since joining the AFL competition in 1991. 

The Crows first lined up on the day in 1993, falling to Melbourne by five points in a Round Five clash at the MCG. 

Six years later, they returned to the stage to face Sydney in Round Five, 1999 at Football Park, and came away with a clinical 81-point win.

It would be another 22 years until an Adelaide game was scheduled for ANZAC Day, as it travelled to Launceston to face Hawthorn in Round 6. 2021.

The match would be remembered for the exploits of Riley Thilthorpe, who booted five goals on debut, as the Crows lost to the Hawks by three-points in a thrilling, high-scoring affair. 

Len Hall Tribute game 

The Crows will make their third appearance in Fremantle’s annual Len Hall Tribute game this Friday.

Adelaide featured in the Dockers’ showcase game in back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007, with Friday to be its first appearance since.

The Len Hall Tribute Match has been a staple of Fremantle’s fixture since 1996, and is a  special commemoration of the Anzac spirit and the story of Len Hall.

Hall is known to many as West Australia’s last surviving Gallipoli veteran.

The Arthur Leggett Medal

For the first time, a medal for the player judged best-on-ground will be awarded after the Crows' clash against the Dockers.

Fremantle has introduced the new honour, the Arthur Leggett Medal, which will now be awarded in its annual Len Hall Tribute games. 

The Medal pays tribute to the life and service of World War Two veteran Arthur Leggett, who died on Sunday, April 6. He was 106.

Arthur was WA's last surviving World War Two prisoner of war and played a significant role in past Len Hall Tribute Games.

Selected by a panel of media representatives, the Medal will be awarded to the best-on-ground player from the match.

Adelaide faces Fremantle at Optus Stadium, Perth, this Friday at 7.40pm (ASCT).

The game will be broadcast live on Channel 7 Adelaide, Kayo and Fox Footy.