Richmond and Melbourne will again honour a great of the game this Anzac Day Eve, with the awarding of the Frank ‘Checker’ Hughes medal.

A tribute to the seven-time premiership player and coach, the medal will be presented to the best player on the ground at the conclusion of Sunday night’s match, which focuses on the contribution of currently serving men and women and contemporary veterans.

The medal is a fitting nod to a man who achieved so much, both for the game and for his country.

MEMBERSHIP Secure a reserved seat to our annual Anzac Day Eve clash

Long before he become a legend of the competition, Hughes joined the WWI effort, rising through the ranks to serve as a company quartermaster sergeant.

He enlisted as a 21-year-old in 1915 – one year after making his debut for Richmond – and, despite being knocked back initially for having bad teeth, went on to perform his duty for nearly four years.

Hughes, who served with the 57^th battalion of the Australian Imperial Force, was even awarded a Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his significant contribution in France and Belgium.

Using football as a welcomed distraction during his downtime – Hughes joined 400 men in setting up a footy field in the village of Mametz, France in 1916 and was involved in various matches – he maintained his love for the game during the most challenging of times.

GUERNSEY Richmond to wear Golden Wattle-inspired Anzac Day Eve guernsey

It was May of 1919 when he returned home to Melbourne and, within a few short weeks, was back in the Yellow and Black, playing for the Tigers.

Hughes finished up at Richmond with three premierships to his name, two as a player and one as a coach, and joined the Demons, going on to coach for a total of eight seasons.

Rejuvenating a struggling side, the decorated character led Melbourne to three successive flags between 1939 and 1941, later returning to add a fourth in 1948.

He was also responsible for the introduction of ‘the Demons’, as legend has it, telling his players early on in his tenure: “You are playing like a lot of flowers. Lift your heads and play like demons!”

Hughes passed away in 1978 and was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame a decade later, after spending over 50 years of his life at the top level.

Melbourne's Christian Petracca received the inaugural medal in 2021 after collecting 38 disposals, seven tackles and a goal in the Demons' 34-point victory.

The voting panel for Sunday night's game is:

Brenton Sanderson (SEN)
Kate McCarthy (Triple M)
Callum Twomey (AFL.com.au)

Anzac Day Eve Pre-Game Ceremony

Join us for our special Anzac Day Eve pre-game ceremony to pay tribute to our past and current serving members of the Australian Defence Force.

As the lights at the MCG are dimmed in honour of the ANZAC’s, we will take a moment of silence for private reflection, a flame from the Shrine of Remembrance will be delivered and the lighting of the cauldron will be done on stage.

Decorated former soldier and three-time Paralympic gold medallist Curtis McGrath OAM will light the cauldron, alongside another Australian Army former sapper, Ryan Werts.

This will be followed by a moving observance of the Last Post, and New Zealand and Australian National Anthems.

We strongly encourage fans to arrive early on Sunday, with proceedings commencing from 6:30pm