Eureka! A game drenched in blood…

I think we have all become quite blasé at the number of “Marketing Games” now played each year. It started with the ANZAC Day game between Collingwood and Essendon, which is now the most anticipated game of the year outside the Final Series.

However what we have now is a series of games, trophy’s and medals that hold little or no significance for the players and public alike.

So it is no surprise that the public seem rather apathetic to the recent announcement by the North Melbourne and Richmond football clubs that they planned a banner game that honors Australian workers in the spirit of Eureka.

Let’s be honest the stand taken by miners at Eureka had more to do with the hatred Irish miners had for the English than it did with workers rights. It is no surprise that Kevin Sheedy, well known for his strong Irish Catholic heritage is behind this concept.

Are we not dancing on dangerous ground when as a society we celebrate and praise those within our ranks who are prepared to take up arms against the government?
If we transposed Eureka to a modern day setting, it would be akin to members of the Lebanese community taking up arms due to continued harassment and discrimination they receive from government departments such as ASIO and Federal Police.

If the North Melbourne and Richmond football clubs wish to celebrate the Eureka Stockade then they must realise they are celebrating the deaths of 5 soldiers who lost their lives at the hands of people we would today describe as terrorists.

Perhaps in 50 years time Port Adelaide and Adelaide will rename the “Showdown” to the “Hicks” in honor of David Hicks and his struggles for justice at the hands of the American government.