Opinion Journalist, author and columnist April 27, 2026 — 5:41am Anzac Day should and does warrant mixed feelings, but each year rugby league drapes it in what historian Peter Cochrane called a “magic cloak” designed to sanctify everything that it touches. Whether a football code should be getting involved in such ceremonies is a question that is always worth asking; we hear a bit too much about rugby league defenders making desperate tackles “in the Anzac spirit”. That said, the NRL does a good job with pre-match formalities, including a moment of silent reflection that commemorates rather than celebrates the sacrifice. It’s a fine line. But then there are some of the special Anzac Round jerseys worn this year, which were just not good. Canberra’s had an ill-conceived camo design. Some of the others, such as those worn by the Cowboys, Rabbitohs, Dolphins and Eels, looked like they had done heavy service in military laundries.…