Should Essendon be removed from the traditional Anzac Day blockbuster against Collingwood?
Media personality and former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes thinks so in the wake of the Bombers' 77-point loss on Saturday.
"Is it time for Essendon to have a spell?," Cornes said on SEN.
"I know you built it, but North Melbourne built Friday night footy and they don't play Friday night every week anymore. I know you built it, I know you were instrumental in what it is today, but does that guarantee you playing on Anzac Day every year?
"Because the Bombers are ratings kryptonite. No one watches Essendon. It's the reason why Thursday night footy was a disaster late last year and they had to get them out of Thursday night footy. Any prime time fixture they just haven't performed.
"So do you lose that right when you continually front up in prime time, no one watches you, crowds dip and your performance isn't there.
"So a three-year spell for the Bombers on Anzac Day until they can get their stuff together."
Since 2010, the Bombers have won three clashes against the Pies on the sacred day, but have largely let the black-and-white claim victory, with Saturday being no different.
Are the AFL bound by the allure of Essendon's big Victorian club status?
There are more than 86,000 members who don the red sash in 2026, and coupled with Collingwood's league-leading membership tally, the clash always brings a full MCG.
The league has switched around marquee contests before, removing the Western Bulldogs from the Good Friday clash against North Melbourne.
St Kilda and the Bombers have been involved in the game, which has been in the hands of Carlton in the past four years.
The annual season opening Round 1 clash between the Blues and Richmond is expected to be scrapped in 2027, with reports indicating a grand final rematch could be a way to kick off the new campaign.
In 2022, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs, following their grand final in Perth the year before, opened the season.
