A victory for people power shows sport is nothing without fans

A change has come over the Australian football codes this year.

It’s not the attacking play or the higher scoring — although that’s unquestionably wonderful.

It’s the sound.

As much as NRL and AFL games have been played with renewed pace and spirit this year, the sound and presence of the roaring crowd can’t be overestimated.

That bizarre period during the worst of COVID-19 last year when hollow sounds reverberated around empty stadiums — or perhaps worse, the made-for-TV fake crowd noise — only highlighted the importance of loud and passionate supporters.

Today, it’s hoped around 85,000 spectators will turn up to the traditional Anzac Day game between Collingwood and Essendon – the biggest game on the AFL calendar, bar the Grand…