The Sydney Swans and West Coast Eagles will remember the sacrifice of brave navy personnel when the two sides meet this Sunday at GMHBA Stadium in Round 16, with the clash honouring the memory of the sacrifice made by HMAS Sydney's men and their families through the presentation of the HMAS Sydney II Commemorative Trophy and Best on Ground Trophy.

The clash will mark the 12^th HMAS Sydney II Tribute Game, played since 2010 to honour the 645 young men who died when the ship was sunk off the coast of WA in World War II.

Much celebrated for successful battles in the Mediterranean, Sydney had returned to a hero’s welcome in Australia in February 1941.

The ship was then tasked with escorting troop ships to South East Asia, and it was on one of these return voyages, on November 19, 1941, about 180 kilometres west of Shark Bay in Western Australia, that Sydney encountered German naval raider Kormoran.

The Kormoran was disguised as a Dutch merchant vessel, and unaware, Sydney approached, before being fired upon.

The fate of Sydney and her crew remained a mystery until she was found on March 16, 2008, at a depth of 2500 metres, sitting upright on the ocean floor. The discovery finally offered some closure to families on the devastating loss.

The Swans represent HMAS Sydney’s home port and the Eagles symbolise the ship’s final resting place.

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

Under usual circumstances, the winning team would be presented with the HMAS Sydney II Commemorative Trophy and the player judged best on ground would receive a Gun Shell Gallantry Trophy. In addition to the perpetual Best on Ground Trophy, the Best on Ground player also receives a pure silver 2008 HMAS Commemorative Coin as a keepsake, minted after the ship’s discovery, by the Perth Mint.

However, given COVID-19 protocols there will be no pre-game or post game ceremony this weekend. Instead, both teams will reflect on the significance of the match and acknowledge the result and player judged via their clubs digital and social channels. 

As a further acknowledgement this year, a major commemorate event will take place in Denham, Western Australia from Friday November 19 to Sunday November 21 on the 80th Anniversary of the loss of HMAS Sydney II.