Reviewed by Richard Tutin
Australian Football (AFL) or Australian Rules as it has often been called is not as well known in Queensland as it is in the southern states particularly Victoria. The recent Grand Final win by the Brisbane Lions men’s team has though spurred many Queenslanders to look more seriously at the game. It is appropriate then for Gelding Street Press to publish, as part of its “Immortals” series The Immortals of Australian Football.
The task of determining who is an immortal and deserves to be on the list has been given to Andrew Clarke who has been associated with the game since the age of six when he played in Dromana a suburb on the Mornington Peninsula.
As with all the books in this series, a criterion is used to determine who is an immortal and who deserves an honourable mention. As always, it is subjective though, as Clarke clearly points out in the introduction, he took advice on those whom he included and those he reluctantly left out. The spread of players and their stories cover a good spread of the history of the game as it has developed over the years.
Beginning with the story of Roy Cazaly of “Up there Cazaly” fame, Clarke brings to life the playing careers of eighteen great players of the game. As well as highlighting what some of them did after their playing days were finished, he shows that they continued to contribute to the health of the sport as coaches, commentators and mentors. Their commitment and passion also shine through as is their determination to succeed, despite injury, as they helped steer their team to a Grand Final.
As is usual for books in this series, Clarke has produced two supplementary lists. One is called “The Bench and the Second 18” where he lists those players who for one reason or another did not make the immortals list. In other books of the series, it is often called the honourable mentions.
The second list is called the “18 Indigenous Immortals”. While the Immortals list has Indigenous players such as Grham Farmer and Lance “Buddy” Franklin it is fitting that Clarke includes this separate list of Indigenous players to show the great contribution they have made and continue to make to the game. Their commitment to the sport they love is huge because some of them must leave their homes and families in Northen Australia to pursue their dreams of becoming a professional player.
As with other books of the “Immortals” series, this one on Australian Football is well produced. Each player on the “Immortals” list has their own chapter. As well as their story and playing statistics, there are accompanying photos to enhance the presentation. For lovers of the game, it is a valuable resource that can be easily dipped into especially around Grand Finals time.
Andrew Clarke is a Melbourne based journalist and author who started his writing career at the short-lived rebirth of Footy Week in the late 1980’s. He has written and edited some 30 books and worked in many industries, blending his love of sport and automobiles with a passion for business and change.
The Immortals of Australian Football
Andrew Clarke
(2024)
Gelding Street Press
ISBN 978 192266 200 2
$39.99; 200pp