The SCG will play host to the 10^th edition of the HMAS Sydney II Memorial Match in history on Sunday afternoon.

The esteemed game between the Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles was founded in 2010 and honours the 645 men who died on the HMAS Sydney II ship in World War II.

The ship was sunk by the German Auxilliary Cruiser Kormoran on November 19, 1941, about 180 kilometres west of Shark Bay, Western Australia.

Sydney and her crew were eventually discovered sitting upright on the ocean floor about 2500 metres from the surface on March 16, 2008.

The Swans represent HMAS Sydney’s home port and the Eagles symbolise the ship’s final resting place off the coast of Western Australia.

The match was established as an initiative of the AFL, the Finding Sydney Foundation and the Royal Australian Navy.

Sunday’s winning team will be presented the HMAS Sydney II Commemorative trophy, while the player judged best afield will be awarded the ‘Best on Ground’ trophy and, courtesy of the Perth Mint, a commemorative coin. 

Commander Ted Seymour will present the match trophy, while Finding Sydney Foundation director Keith Rowe will award the best-on-ground trophy and coin. 

Rowe says at the heart of the game’s HMAS ties is paying tribute to those who have served.

“It’s terribly important for the psyche of the nation to realise that those who put forward that service are not ignored,” Rowe said.

“And it’s particularly important that those who paid the ultimate price are not forgotten.

“We established this initiative to honour the 645 men who lost their lives on HMAS Sydney II Ship in 1941, and it’s great that we’re able to pay our respects at every Swans-Eagles match.”