SCG Trust Chief Executive Jamie Barkley has announced Sydney Roosters and St George Illawarra players will be competing for the Ashton Collier Spirit of ANZAC Medal when the teams meet in the traditional blockbuster at Allianz Stadium on Thursday at 4.00pm.
At a media conference at Allianz Stadium, Mr Barkley said the Player of the Match Award is named after Roosters and Dragons World War II veterans, Ferris Ashton and Bill Collier.
The back of the Medal reads The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance.
Over the years, Ashton and Collier have represented players who have served in all theatres of War during the traditional ANZAC Day match pre-match ceremony.
Ashton was represented at the announcement by his son, Greg.
Ashton, who passed away in January, was a member of the Royal Australian Navy during World War II and served on board the destroyer HMAS Quickmatch and with the British Fleet in the Pacific Ocean.
After the War, Ashton commenced his senior career with Eastern Suburbs playing 84 games between 1950 and 1956, and also represented NSW and Australia, including the 1952-53 Kangaroo tour of England and France.
Collier was a member of the Dragons 1941 Premiership winning team - the Dragons first ever premiership.
After playing the 1942 season with the Dragons, Collier was sent to New Guinea as part of an armoured regiment.
This years match will be the 12th edition of the Roosters-Dragons ANZAC Day showdown.
At a media conference at Allianz Stadium, Mr Barkley said the Player of the Match Award is named after Roosters and Dragons World War II veterans, Ferris Ashton and Bill Collier.
The back of the Medal reads The Price of Liberty is Eternal Vigilance.
Over the years, Ashton and Collier have represented players who have served in all theatres of War during the traditional ANZAC Day match pre-match ceremony.
Ashton was represented at the announcement by his son, Greg.
Ashton, who passed away in January, was a member of the Royal Australian Navy during World War II and served on board the destroyer HMAS Quickmatch and with the British Fleet in the Pacific Ocean.
After the War, Ashton commenced his senior career with Eastern Suburbs playing 84 games between 1950 and 1956, and also represented NSW and Australia, including the 1952-53 Kangaroo tour of England and France.
Collier was a member of the Dragons 1941 Premiership winning team - the Dragons first ever premiership.
After playing the 1942 season with the Dragons, Collier was sent to New Guinea as part of an armoured regiment.
This years match will be the 12th edition of the Roosters-Dragons ANZAC Day showdown.
