BACKLINE coach Jade Rawlings says commemorating Anzac Day is an integral part of Melbourne’s match preparation to its Friday night clash against Richmond at the MCG.

Speaking to Dee TV, Rawlings said Melbourne’s round four encounter was an important fixture – and one the club hoped to build on.

“It’s a big deal for the footy club and something the club’s really trying to make their own on the calendar, each year with Richmond, so we’re pretty keen to [be] on the big stage on a Friday night, pre-Anzac Day,” he said.

“The club’s certainly making a big deal about it and our end of the bargain is to perform, so we’ll try and prepare the players accordingly.

“We discussed among the coaching staff and Josh [Mahoney] as footy manager about what it can look like building up to the game.

“The game is the most important part – as far as commemorating and understanding for our players, who are doing a little bit of stuff along the way, which is in line with what the day’s actually about.”

Rawlings said playing on Friday night was also an important aspect for Melbourne.

“If you perform, Friday night games are given and commercially for the club, it’s better. Hawthorn, two years ago, was our last Friday night game, so it’s good for our players to be exposed to a big stage and something we think they’re ready for,” he said.

Rawlings said Melbourne would draw on some aspects from its win over Richmond last year, but it was mainly on an individual basis.  

“There’s no two games the same, but the way that they (Richmond) play and what we try and put in place … might have a little bit of relevance [from last year],” he said.

“But for some of the individuals it might be more relevant having a history of having played on a certain opponent, but it’s more relevant as to what’s happened more recently.”