Emerald Football Netball Club
Anzac Day Clash 25th April 2026

The annual Anzac Day football match was held at Chandler Reserve on Anzac Day - a twilight match against Belgrave Football Netball Club. The traditional clash against Gembrook-Cockatoo was not possible due to the Clubs being in different grades this year.

Emerald went into the match as underdogs coming off a heavy loss to Alexandra the week before.

At quarter time things didn’t look too healthy for the Bombers but coach David Johnson must have lit a fuse at the break. The last three quarters belonged to Emerald and they ran out healthy winners in the end.

Every year it is tradition to award the Donovan Joynt medal to the player voted Best on Ground (and also in the ladies Netball game played at the same time). Donovan Joynt is Emerald RSL’s own VC winner. You can hear his story on the Anzac Walk audio trail.

This year the medal was awarded to David Johnson, Captain-Coach of the Emerald FNC. Congratulations David for an outstanding game.

Seen here with Peter Maloney, Past-President of the Emerald RSL. And the little one is Georgie, David's daughter.