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Heath Shaw addresses the media before the viewing of Beneath Hill 60MAGPIES star Heath Shaw says Collingwood v Essendon games have proven to work best as the lone Melbourne game on Anzac Day.
The two sides have played each other every year on April 25 since 1995 and while other clubs have pushed to share the stage, Shaw says the two teams have built a strong tradition.
“I’m pretty happy (as it is). I enjoy the fact we’ve had that for the last 15 years or so and it is the single game in Melbourne," Shaw said.
“I look forward to Anzac Day and the occasion and [the game] being isolated.
"Hopefully we can continue on with that.”
This year's match will be played on Sunday, but Shaw was of the opinion that the mid-week Anzac clashes served to heighten the sense of occasion that has built up around the now traditional fixture.
Shaw and his teammates spent Tuesday afternoon watching Australian war film Beneath Hill 60.
But while the Magpies were in relaxation mode five days before the game the running defender said there was no chance they would go into the Essendon match underprepared.
“We had a bit of a light run this morning and we’ve got the afternoon off to come and watch the movie," he said.
"It breaks up the routine a little bit. We try to do something like this every year in the lead up to Anzac Day.
“Mick (Malthouse) is a bit of a history buff and he likes to get to the movies every once in while. It is a good occasion and a perfect week to do something like this.”
After four weeks the Magpies are sitting in sixth position with a 3-1 win-loss record and while admitting the side has been consistent, Shaw said the Magpies didn’t have to change much to be at their best.
“We played four quarters of good footy against the Bulldogs and four quarters of good footy against Hawthorn," Shaw said. "Throughout the Melbourne and St Kilda games we didn’t put that full four quarter effort together.
“That is something that we know as a team if we can play consistently over the four quarters and stick to our structures we can beat anyone.”
