by Brad Smallbone
Australian rules football and documentary film met again in the project Footy Shorts. This initiative has widened the existing catalogue of documentaries centred on the beloved sport, covering everything from influential figures to fan culture.
On Australian Rules Football and its Impact on Media and Fan Culture
Australian rules football’s cultural influence extends beyond the field, deeply embedding itself in popular culture, fan traditions, and music. This is particularly evident in creative works like David Williamson’s 1977 play The Club, which was later adapted into a film.
The sport also has a strong connection to music, with songs like Mike Brady’s “Up There Cazaly” (1979) and “One Day in September” (1987) becoming anthems associated with the Grand Final.
The fan culture or “barrackers” is, undoubtedly, a core part of the game’s identity. While organised chants are not as prevalent as in some other sports, individual fans are known for shouting personalised support for their teams. Meanwhile, official cheer squads are highly coordinated, performing rituals such as waving large pom-poms, or “floggers,” to celebrate a goal.
With the proliferation of online sportsbooks, fans have also engaged in betting, reviewing AFL premiership odds and testing their knowledge of the game to predict future match outcomes.
Bringing Filmmaking and AFL Together Through the Footy Shorts Initiative
The Footy Shorts Project furthers this deep connection between culture, media, and football. It was created with the AFL in collaboration with the Melbourne International Film Festival and VicScreen. The project invited Aussie filmmakers to pitch their ideas for a short film focussed on the AFL; specifically, on the traditions of the sport, as well as the love and deep connection that has deeply impacted the nation throughout history.
A total of four directors and their respective teams got 20,000 in production budget to create their film. In addition, they received professional support in the form of industry mentors and access to AFL clubs and archival footage.
Bec Haagsma, AFL executive general manager customer and commercial, sees the project as an excellent way to further the League’s vision.
“Football is intricately entwined with the Australian way of life and has always formed an integral part of the community. Our game is full of wonderful characters, storylines and emotions that tie people together from all different backgrounds, from grassroots to the elite. I am excited to see how some of the best up and coming filmmakers bring this to life on the big screen,” she states.
Colin Brooks, Minister for Creative Industries, believes that the Footy Shorts will be especially beneficial for the next generation of filmmakers, claiming that: “There’s nothing more Victorian than film and footy, and Footy Shorts brings these two passions together in one fantastic initiative. The Allan Labor Government is thrilled to partner with MIFF and the AFL to support this opportunity for the next generation of screen storytellers to develop their skills, gain hands-on experience and present their work to audiences at the nation’s largest film festival.”
From Bush Boots to Eye of the Game: The Footy Shorts films spreading the love for AFL
While initially four Footy Shorts films would receive funding and have the chance to go into production, a total of five shorts were chosen. This was due to the high quality of the submissions, according to VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher.
These films had their world premiere screening at the 73rd Melbourne International Film Festival the past August. Currently, the films are available on the AFL website and MIFF Online, streaming via ACMI Cinema 3.
The five titles are the following:
Bush Boots
Bush Boots takes centre stage in Mooroopna, where “boots hit the dirt long before they hit the big stage”. From directors Kynan Clark and Isabel Dilena, the short film is a celebration of a community of indigenous footy kids and the role models who guide them in and out of the football pitch, such as the celebrated Jy Simpkin; an Australian rules footballer of Aboriginal descent.
Breaking the Line: The Peta Searle Story
Directed by independent filmmaker and screen editor Grace Anna Cardona, Breaking the Line follows the story of another important figure of the sport: Peta Searle. Searle played football for a decade, part of Albion Football Club, Parkside Football Club, and Darebin Falcons throughout her professional career. After a career-ending injury, she transitioned to coaching, becoming the AFL’s first full-time female assistant coach in 2014. Breaking the Line: The Peta Searle Story is an account of the former player and coach’s trajectory and successful work training the Darebin Falcons.
Eye of the Game
Director Ramas McRae documents the inspiring trajectory of Ryan Emerson. Emerson, a deaf ruckman, has challenged expectations and common understandings of a sport, which greatly relies on communication.
House Divided
In House Divided, director Danielle Baynes and producer Lachlan Baynes explore the tense and competitive dynamics of a football-loving family, supporting rival teams.
No Prior Opportunity
The fifth short that was part of the Footy Shorts project is No Prior Opportunity by Alexandra Walton, and centres on Rhys Gilday, a man on the autism spectrum. Heartwarming and funny, the film explores Gilday’s passion for AFL umpires.
Furthering the link between the worlds of football and documentary film
The Footy Shorts project is the continuation of a large history, where Australian rules football and documentary films have intersected.
The first known footage of an Australian football match dates back to August 1898, capturing a game between Essendon and Geelong. The oldest surviving footage of a complete match is the 1909 VFL Grand Final, a film produced by Spencer’s Pictures that documents South Melbourne’s victory over Carlton.
To commemorate its 100th anniversary, the National Film and Sound Archive screened the film daily in Melbourne’s Federation Square in 2009. Spencer’s Pictures also featured a VFL match between Collingwood and Fitzroy in the 1910 documentary Marvellous Melbourne, the oldest surviving complete documentary about the city.
Over time, documentaries about Australian football have evolved to explore different aspects of the sport and its culture. Heathens (1991), an independent film by Megan Spencer, focuses on the fan experience by examining the songs and chants of a group of St Kilda supporters.
A more in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at a struggling club was provided by the 1997 film Year of the Dogs, which followed the Western Bulldogs. The film’s DVD release included the 1980 short documentary War Without Weapons, offering a glimpse into Ron Barassi’s coaching style with North Melbourne.
More recent documentaries have centred on the sport’s social and cultural dimensions, particularly regarding Indigenous players and communities. Aboriginal Rules (2007) documents the Yuendumu Magpies Football Club’s preparations for the Central Australian Football League.
The career of Aboriginal AFL player Adam Goodes is the subject of two notable 2019 documentaries. The Final Quarter, directed by Ian Darling, uses only archival footage and media headlines to chronicle the booing Goodes endured from opposition fans in the final years of his career. The Australian Dream, written and narrated by Stan Grant, also addresses Goodes’ experiences with discrimination. It was awarded the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Melbourne International Film Festival.
More Documentaries to Come?
The passion for footy is alive and growing, as evidenced by devoted fans who follow the latest matches and bet on the sport through platforms, such as Sportsbet. Yet the sport’s impact extends to the realm of culture, where documentaries have portrayed moving and inspiring stories. Although it is yet unknown if the Footy Shorts project will take place again in the future, we can expect filmmakers to continue drawing inspiration from the beloved game.
Image by waltenstein from Pixabay
