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The King's Birthday match is an annual Australian rules football match between the Melbourne Football Club and Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL), held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on the King's Birthday public holiday in Victoria (the second Monday in June).
 Panorama of the 2011 Queen's Birthday match | |
| Other names | Queen's Birthday match (2001–2022) |
|---|---|
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria |
| Teams | Melbourne Collingwood |
| First meeting | 11 June 2001 |
| Latest meeting | 10 June 2024 |
| Next meeting | TBA |
| Broadcasters | Seven Network (2001, 2012–present) Network Ten (2002–2011) |
| Stadiums | Melbourne Cricket Ground |
| Statistics | |
| Most player appearances | Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) 14 matches |
| All-time series (Australian Football League only) | Collingwood (14 Wins) Draw(s) 1 Melbourne (7 Wins) |
| Largest victory | Collingwood: 88 points 13 June 2011 |
| Longest win streak | Collingwood: 5 2011–2015 |
| Current win streak | Collingwood: 1 2024–present |
Since 2015, the match has been preceded by the Big Freeze, a charitable event raising funds into research for motor neuron disease (MND). The event sees celebrities slide into a pool of ice water as a curtain-raiser to the match.
Football has been played on the Queen's or King's Birthday public holiday since before the first season of the Victorian Football League in 1897.[1] In most years the VFL scheduled three matches to take place on the public holiday. Since 1936 the public holiday has been set as the second Monday in June.
Melbourne and Collingwood first faced off in a Queen's Birthday fixture in Round 3 of the 1898 season, with Melbourne winning by 10 points.[2] Both teams have a long-standing rivalry dating back to the 1950s and 1960s when the two side were the dominant forces in the VFL. Having defeated Collingwood in the 1955 and 1956 Grand Finals, Melbourne was prevented from equalling the Magpies' record four flags in a row in the 1958 Grand Final. That year, a crowd of 99,256 saw a top of the table match between the two teams on the Queen's Birthday public holiday; as of 2022 that crowd figure remains a record for the highest-ever home-and-away crowd.[3] Melbourne would later defeat the Magpies in the 1960 and 1964 Grand Finals. Almost half of Melbourne's 13 VFL/AFL Premierships came against Collingwood and the teams have met in seven grand finals, the most of any pairing.
Since 2001, the AFL has scheduled Melbourne against Collingwood at the MCG as the only match played on the public holiday each year, and this is considered the start of the modern Queen's Birthday match as a stand-alone event. Prior to this, Melbourne and Collingwood had faced each other on the King's/Queen's Birthday public holiday on ten occasions: 1898, 1950, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1977, 1983, 1993, 1996 and 1999; among those, the 1996 match was the only time it was the sole match scheduled for the day. The round in which the game is played is sometimes referred to as the "Queen's Birthday Round", although Queensland and Western Australia do not celebrate the Queen's Birthday public holiday on the same date.
The fixture is traditionally staged at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which is the home ground for both teams. However, from 2001 until 2018, the match was always a designated Melbourne home game, resulting in Melbourne receiving a greater portion of the gate and its highest match profit of each season, typically in the order of $800,000 to $900,000. Collingwood, which had a substantially higher membership and more blockbuster fixtures than Melbourne, agreed to and encouraged the deal over that period.[4] Since 2019, when a period of success had seen Melbourne close the financial gap between the clubs, the clubs have agreed to alternate the home team designation between the two clubs each year, with Collingwood's first home game played in 2019.[5][6]
The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the game's continuity for two years: the match was not played at all in 2020, and was relocated to the Sydney Cricket Ground at short notice due to a lockdown in Victoria in 2021.[7]
This table lists all Queen's/King's Birthday matches since it became an annual fixture between Melbourne and Collingwood in 2001.
| Year | Winner | Melbourne score | Collingwood score | Margin | Attendance | Best on ground1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Collingwood | 8.9 (57) | 19.20 (134) | 77 | 62,761 | Anthony Rocca (COL) | |
| 2002 | Collingwood | 10.15 (75) | 19.12 (126) | 51 | 65,860 | Chris Tarrant (COL) | |
| 2003 | Collingwood | 10.17 (77) | 20.13 (133) | 56 | 60,010* | Paul Licuria (COL) | |
| 2004 | Melbourne | 12.10 (82) | 11.7 (73) | 9 | 56,988* | Josh Fraser (COL)± | |
| 2005 | Melbourne | 17.15 (117) | 10.12 (72) | 45 | 65,347* | Travis Johnstone (MEL) | |
| 2006 | Melbourne | 22.9 (141) | 14.10 (94) | 47 | 78,773 | Cameron Bruce (MEL) | |
| 2007 | Melbourne | 13.16 (94) | 11.15 (81) | 13 | 70,660 | Russell Robertson (MEL) | |
| 2008 | Collingwood | 13.17 (95) | 17.14 (116) | 21 | 59,548 | Tarkyn Lockyer (COL) | |
| 2009 | Collingwood | 8.12 (60) | 19.12 (126) | 66 | 61,287 | Scott Pendlebury (COL) | |
| 2010 | Draw | 11.10 (76) | 9.22 (76) | 0 | 67,454 | Aaron Davey (MEL) | |
| 2011 | Collingwood | 6.5 (41) | 19.15 (129) | 88 | 75,998 | Sharrod Wellingham (COL) | |
| 2012 | Collingwood | 13.9 (87) | 19.15 (129) | 42 | 64,250 | Dane Swan (COL) | |
| 2013 | Collingwood | 5.9 (39) | 17.20 (122) | 83 | 50,853 | Dane Swan (COL) | |
| 2014 | Collingwood | 3.10 (28) | 8.13 (61) | 33 | 68,124 | Bernie Vince (MEL)± | |
| 2015 | Collingwood | 13.7 (85) | 17.8 (110) | 25 | 66,120 | Travis Cloke (COL) | |
| 2016 | Melbourne | 16.8 (104) | 8.10 (58) | 46 | 60,158 | Max Gawn (MEL) | |
| 2017 | Melbourne | 15.14 (104) | 15.10 (100) | 4 | 70,926 | Christian Petracca (MEL) | |
| 2018 | Collingwood | 14.7 (91) | 20.13 (133) | 42 | 83,518 | Mason Cox (COL) | |
| 2019 | Collingwood | 7.15 (57) | 15.8 (98) | 41 | 74,036 | Adam Treloar (COL) | |
| 2020 | No match played due to the COVID-19 pandemic | ||||||
| 2021 | Collingwood | 9.9 (63) | 11.14 (80) | 17 | 16,4532 | Scott Pendlebury (COL) | |
| 2022 | Collingwood | 8.8 (56) | 12.10 (82) | 26 | 76,059 | Clayton Oliver (MEL)± | |
| 2023 | Melbourne | 8.18 (66) | 9.8 (62) | 4 | 83,578 | Jack Viney (MEL) | |
| 2024 | Collingwood | 6.15 (51) | 14.5 (89) | 38 | 84,659 | Jack Crisp (COL) | |
* Capacity reduced due to redevelopment at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the 2006 Commonwealth Games
± Best on ground awarded to a player from the losing team
1 2001–2014: three Brownlow votes, 2015–present: Neale Daniher trophy
2 Match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground instead of the Melbourne Cricket Ground
In 2014, former Melbourne coach for ten years (1998–2007) Neale Daniher made his motor neuron disease (MND) diagnosis public, having been initially diagnosed the year before, and set about helping raise funds for researching the disease.[8] The Big Freeze at the 'G is a Motor Neurone Disease fundraiser event at the MCG partner with the AFL's Queen's Birthday match. In support of the "Cure for MND Foundation", several well known football, sporting, entertainment and media personalities get dunked into a giant ice pool on the ground before the start of the game. Such personalities usually pledge to raise $10,000 for vital MND research after being nominated, and once successful at hitting this target, they then get to pass on the challenge and nominate the next personality into the "cold seat". This person in turn will raise funds and agree to "Freeze for MND" if their fundraising goal is met. The challenge will continue right up until the game, with each celebrity challenging the next.[9][10] The first Big Freeze was held in 2015, and the Neale Daniher Trophy was established in the same year and awarded to the best player on the ground in the game.[11]
Participants
- Big Freeze 1 (2015)
Over $2.2 million was raised.[12]
- Tim Watson, former Essendon player, AFL commentator for the Seven Network.
- Sam Lane, Television and radio personality, journalist and commentator.
- Ross Stevenson, radio personality for 3AW.
- Dermott Brereton, former Hawthorn player, television and radio commentator for Fox Footy and SEN 1116.
- Luke Darcy, former Western Bulldogs player, television and radio commentator.
- Sam Newman, former Geelong player, television and radio personality, host of The Footy Show.
- Brian Taylor, former Collingwood player, television and radio commentator for the Seven Network and Triple M.
- Garry Lyon, former Melbourne player, television and radio commentator, host of The Footy Show.
- Mick Molloy, comedian, television and radio personality for Triple M.
- Mark Robinson, Journalist, television and newspaper personality, host of AFL 360.
- Bryan 'Strauchanie' Strauchan, fictional Collingwood football player portrayed by comedian Peter Helliar, television and radio personality.
- Big Freeze 2 (2016)
Over $4 million was raised.[13]
- Matthew Richardson, former Richmond player, AFL commentator for the Seven Network.
- Matthew Lloyd, former Essendon player, AFL commentator for 3AW.
- Kevin Sheedy, legendary AFL player and coach.
- Eddie McGuire, President of Collingwood, AFL commentator for Fox Footy and Triple M radio.
- David Koch, President of Port Adelaide, host of Sunrise.
- Samantha Armytage, Australian journalist, host of Sunrise.
- Jonathan Brown, former Brisbane Lions player, television and radio personality, Fox Footy and Nova 100.
- Anthony Lehmann, comedian, television and radio personality, Network Ten and Gold 104.3.
- Cameron Ling, former Geelong player, AFL commentator for the Seven Network.
- Gerard Whateley, ABC Sports commentator, host of AFL 360.
- Dave Hughes, comedian, television and radio personality, recurring panellist on The Footy Show.
- Big Freeze 3 (2017)
- Lleyton Hewitt, Australian tennis champion, former world number 1.
- Steve Hooker, Australian Pole Vaulter, Olympic gold medallist.
- Alisa Camplin, Australian aerial skier, Olympic gold medallist.
- Steven Bradbury, Australian speed skater, Olympic gold medallist.
- Steve Moneghetti, Australian long-distance runner, Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
- Andrew Gaze, Australian basketballer, 2× NBA champion.
- Sharelle McMahon, Australian netballer
- Adam Gilchrist, Australian cricketer
- Big Freeze 4 (2018)
- Don Pyke, Adelaide senior coach
- Chris Fagan, Brisbane Lions senior coach
- Brendon Bolton, Carlton senior coach
- Nathan Buckley, Collingwood senior coach
- John Worsfold, Essendon senior coach
- Ross Lyon, Fremantle senior coach
- Chris Scott, Geelong senior coach
- Stuart Dew, Gold Coast senior coach
- Leon Cameron, Greater Western Sydney senior coach
- Alastair Clarkson, Hawthorn senior coach
- Simon Goodwin, Melbourne senior coach
- Brad Scott, North Melbourne senior coach
- Ken Hinkley, Port Adelaide senior coach
- Damien Hardwick, Richmond senior coach
- John Longmire, Sydney Swans senior coach
- Alan Richardson, St Kilda senior coach
- Adam Simpson, West Coast Eagles senior coach
- Luke Beveridge, Western Bulldogs senior coach
- Big Freeze 5 (2019)
- Cyril Rioli, former Hawthorn player
- Lauren Jackson, former basketball player
- Dane Swan, former Collingwood player
- Nick Riewoldt, former St Kilda player
- Brendan Fevola, former Carlton & Brisbane Lions player
- Jimmy Bartel, former Geelong player
- Anna Meares, former Olympic cyclist
- Bianca Chatfield, former netball player
- Jobe Watson, former Essendon player
- Chris Judd, former West Coast & Carlton player
- Liam Picken, former Western Bulldogs player
- Bob Murphy, former Western Bulldogs player
- Sam Mitchell, former Hawthorn & West Coast player
- Brent Harvey, former North Melbourne player
- Big Freeze 6 (2020)
No Queen's Birthday match was played due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but a Big Freeze television event occurred with a player from every club involved.[14]
- Big Freeze 7 (2021)
Big Freeze 7 was held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on the day of the Queen's Birthday match, but the match itself was staged at the Sydney Cricket Ground due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Abbey Holmes, former Adelaide player
- Billy Brownless, former Geelong player
- Shane Crawford, 1999 Brownlow Medal winner and former Hawthorn player
- Ray Chamberlain, AFL umpire
- Sharni Norder, former netball player and Collingwood player, Bounce panelist
- Russel Howcroft, media personality
- Sarah Jones, Fox Footy host
- Jeff Farmer, former Melbourne and Fremantle player
- Daisy Pearce, Melbourne captain
- Gillon McLachlan, AFL CEO
Craig Bellamy, coach of the Melbourne Storm NRL team was also selected to slide, but was unable to leave his team's hub in Queensland, so instead did an Ice bucket challenge.[15]
- Big Freeze 8 (2022)
- Ash Barty, former world No. 1 tennis player
- Eddie Betts, former Adelaide & Carlton player
- Terry Daniher, former Essendon player & older brother to Neale
- Rhonda Burchmore, entertainer & actor
- Hamish Blake, comedian & Melbourne supporter
- Andrew Maher, co-host of The Front Bar
- Rebecca Maddern, Seven News Melbourne presenter
- David Neitz, former Melbourne captain
- Justin Langer, former Australian cricket team coach
- Jakara Anthony, skier & 2022 Winter Olympics gold medallist
- Big Freeze 9 (2023)
- Mick Fanning, 3× ASP World Champion
- Shaun Burgoyne, former Port Adelaide & Hawthorn player
- Tony Shaw, former Collingwood player
- Michelle Payne, 2015 Melbourne Cup winning jockey
- Eric Bana, actor & St Kilda supporter
- Jason Dunstall, former Hawthorn player and current Fox Footy commentator
- Abbey Gelmi, Seven News Melbourne weekend sports presenter
- Tayla Harris, current Melbourne player
- Aaron Finch, former Australian cricket team ODI and T20I captain
- Big Freeze 10 (2024)
- Pat Rafter, former Australian tennis player and 2x US Open champion.
- Erin Phillips, former WNBL and WNBA champion, former Adelaide and Port Adelaide player.
- Nic Naitanui, former West Coast player.
- James Brayshaw, former cricketer, current television and radio commentator for the Seven Network and Triple M.
- Joel Selwood, former Geelong captain.
- Sally Pearson, former sprinter and hurdler, Olympic gold medallist.
- Meg Lanning, current cricketer.
- Jack Riewoldt, former Richmond player.
- Mack Horton, former swimmer, Olympic gold medallist.
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