Review Footy Books

[Dogs_R_Us]

Saw this in the paper. Are Hawthorn and North also celebrating 100 years this year?

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL’S 100 YEAR CLUB Andrew Clarke

This is an intricate history of three of the most iconic AFL football clubs, all with varying fortunes and stories, despite sharing birthdates. Hawthorn, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs joined the league 100 years ago in 1925. Here, AFL diehard Andrew Clarke describes each club’s challenges in detail and, while AFL fans are bound to be thrilled, it’s also an insight into Australian history as Clarke recounts the fascinating social history of these clubs and the challenges that have shaped them, including world wars and the Depression.

 

[Some Idiot]

Saw this in the paper. Are Hawthorn and North also celebrating 100 years this year?

AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL’S 100 YEAR CLUB Andrew Clarke

This is an intricate history of three of the most iconic AFL football clubs, all with varying fortunes and stories, despite sharing birthdates. Hawthorn, North Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs joined the league 100 years ago in 1925. Here, AFL diehard Andrew Clarke describes each club’s challenges in detail and, while AFL fans are bound to be thrilled, it’s also an insight into Australian history as Clarke recounts the fascinating social history of these clubs and the challenges that have shaped them, including world wars and the Depression.

Hawks celebrated their 100 years last week against Richmond.

 

[dogwatch]

Here's something different.

"Pissants", written by ex-Swan Brandon Jack

Brandon Jack

Age

31

Ht

182cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.4

2star

K

4.9

2star

HB

4.5

3star

M

1.9

2star

T

2.8

4star

CL

0.7

3star

No current season stats available

D

9.4

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.0

3star

M

1.6

2star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

, portrays a club culture that could be universal in the AFL. There might be some uncomfortable truths in it. Probably worth a read.

When I read the headline my first thought was Scrag's erotic fiction thread! But I think it's a bit deeper than that ...

Ex-footballer pens debut novel set in debauched AFL fringe

Brandon Jack draws on his time as a peripheral player in the AFL in his raucous new novel, Pissants.

www.abc.net.au

If anybody has read it please post a short review here so others can choose whether to get hold of it for themselves.

 

[Fossie 32]

A few others that I own. Might review down the line.

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A friend just gave me a copy of the 2016 almanac he got it for 20c

 

[Spiritof82]

Was just down the club to get one of the 100 year books, and they have sold out but do have around 8 "damaged" copies on sale, most are down to $40 and a couple are $30. The one I got had a very very small crease in the one part of the cover which you didn't really notice until you looked, and the other $40 ones are pretty much the same, just marks on the cover. The 2 x $30 copies had slight rips in the covers but the book itself is fine

 

[dogwatch]

This book isn't out of place here. Although it's fiction it is set to a footy background and was written by Bulldog legend Kelvin Templeton.

Acknowledgement to Thunderoad for alerting us to it, and Jake Niall's review.

News - What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 5

Pretty mild for Liber jnr, he must be maturing! Just when I thought I couldn't love Libba any more.

www.bigfooty.com

Collision - media - Wilkinson Publishing

Read an exclusive extract of The Many Lives of Barry Humphries by Rowan Dean.

www.wilkinsonpublishing.com.au

 

[Bulldog rick]

Just finished reading a book by Helen Garner called "The Season" (2024). I'm recommending it.

It's an account of the 2023 season of an inner west U16 footy team as seen through the eyes of Garner, an 80yo grandmother of one of the players. The club is Flemington Colts I think. In a sense the name of the club doesn't really matter but some of you may be familiar with it.

What makes it particularly appealing is that Garner - who professes to know very very little about football and hasn't kicked a ball for 70 years - became a passionate Bulldogs supporter and member 30 years ago after she read that famous story about a young boy's plea for Chris Grant to stay at Footscray. Including his pocket money for Grant not to join the new AFL side Port Adelaide. (Inflation seems to have hit that tale as it's now a 50c coin. My recollection is that it was a 20c coin.) So although the book is mostly about the journey of her grandson, his teammates and herself there are frequent references to the Western Bulldogs, their players and the games that were won and lost in that 2023 season.

It's a moving story and somewhat sad as Garner (who has mostly written stories for and about women) seeks to get to know her next-door grandson better as he approaches manhood. And before she dies. She attends training and matches throughout the season trying to remain invisible (an impossible ask as it turns out). She keeps a diary with her and jots down her thoughts, her doubts, her impressions, her moods, her vulnerabilities. And those of her grandson. She delves into male footy culture, much of which is a mystery to her. She thrills in the grace and power of athletic young men pursuing something that at their age is still an innocent, noble and unsullied quest. Well, mostly.

She shows how footy can be much bigger than just a game of men kicking a pigskin around a park.

There are so many footy books but this is one that is told from a different perspective to most. It's short (193 pages), easily read, very engaging and often moving.

Garner is a very astute observer. She writes economically, often in short sentences, often in the vernacular, telling brief unconnected anecdotes but sometimes with stunning insights or turns of phrase. One of many passages that I loved was this one. It will resonate with everyone here (my emphasis):

"On Saturday afternoon the Western Bulldogs verse Greater Western Sydney in Ballarat. We are ahead at half-time but we lose two defenders to injury (knee; concussion). GWS get rolling and thrash us. Toby Greene kicks goal after goal. Galling. Something about the shape of his head, like a tilted olive, and his vain little walk undermines my admiration for his dazzling play. And I don't know how to forgive or forget his past brutality."

Could anyone have said it better? So concisely?

I'm going to hear her talk about the book at the National Library this Thursday night.

View attachment 2230389
View attachment 2230390

Helen Garner was on ABC Conversations recently talking about her book.

Encore: Helen Garner's love letter to her grandson, and football - ABC listen

When Helen Garner began following her grandson Amby's under-16s football team, it was a chance to spend more time with her youngest grandchild before he became an adult and she was fascinated by the spectacle. She went along to all the games, and to every training session, shivering on the...

www.abc.net.au

it's a great listen. Talks about how the Year of the Dog and the noble Chris Grant won her over to become a member of our club. I thought it was 20 cents too.

 

[dogwatch]

Helen Garner was on ABC Conversations recently talking about her book.

Encore: Helen Garner's love letter to her grandson, and football - ABC listen

When Helen Garner began following her grandson Amby's under-16s football team, it was a chance to spend more time with her youngest grandchild before he became an adult and she was fascinated by the spectacle. She went along to all the games, and to every training session, shivering on the...

www.abc.net.au

it's a great listen. Talks about how the Year of the Dog and the noble Chris Grant won her over to become a member of our club. I thought it was 20 cents too.

Whether it was 50c or 20c it was possibly the best value for money spent in the history of the club. And it was a fan in his boyhood who spent it! It not only helped us retain Grant, it has captured the imagination of others who have come to follow the Dogs. Helen Garner is a very worthy inclusion among the Bulldogs faithful.

[I'm pretty sure Chris Grant subsequently said it wasn't just the 20c that led him to reject Port's offer. But it was still an important and symbolic milestone in the saga.

Which leads me to the observation that we can't afford to have Grant estranged from the club for too long. He is too important a part of the fabric and history of our club. And he's a decent bloke as well.]

 

[bresker]

Just finished reading a book by Helen Garner called "The Season" (2024). I'm recommending it.

It's an account of the 2023 season of an inner west U16 footy team as seen through the eyes of Garner, an 80yo grandmother of one of the players. The club is Flemington Colts I think. In a sense the name of the club doesn't really matter but some of you may be familiar with it.

What makes it particularly appealing is that Garner - who professes to know very very little about football and hasn't kicked a ball for 70 years - became a passionate Bulldogs supporter and member 30 years ago after she read that famous story about a young boy's plea for Chris Grant to stay at Footscray. Including his pocket money for Grant not to join the new AFL side Port Adelaide. (Inflation seems to have hit that tale as it's now a 50c coin. My recollection is that it was a 20c coin.) So although the book is mostly about the journey of her grandson, his teammates and herself there are frequent references to the Western Bulldogs, their players and the games that were won and lost in that 2023 season.

It's a moving story and somewhat sad as Garner (who has mostly written stories for and about women) seeks to get to know her next-door grandson better as he approaches manhood. And before she dies. She attends training and matches throughout the season trying to remain invisible (an impossible ask as it turns out). She keeps a diary with her and jots down her thoughts, her doubts, her impressions, her moods, her vulnerabilities. And those of her grandson. She delves into male footy culture, much of which is a mystery to her. She thrills in the grace and power of athletic young men pursuing something that at their age is still an innocent, noble and unsullied quest. Well, mostly.

She shows how footy can be much bigger than just a game of men kicking a pigskin around a park.

There are so many footy books but this is one that is told from a different perspective to most. It's short (193 pages), easily read, very engaging and often moving.

Garner is a very astute observer. She writes economically, often in short sentences, often in the vernacular, telling brief unconnected anecdotes but sometimes with stunning insights or turns of phrase. One of many passages that I loved was this one. It will resonate with everyone here (my emphasis):

"On Saturday afternoon the Western Bulldogs verse Greater Western Sydney in Ballarat. We are ahead at half-time but we lose two defenders to injury (knee; concussion). GWS get rolling and thrash us. Toby Greene kicks goal after goal. Galling. Something about the shape of his head, like a tilted olive, and his vain little walk undermines my admiration for his dazzling play. And I don't know how to forgive or forget his past brutality."

Could anyone have said it better? So concisely?

I'm going to hear her talk about the book at the National Library this Thursday night.

View attachment 2230389
View attachment 2230390

I listened to the audiobook at work, without reading your review . Yes , very enjoyable with a surprising dose of western suburbs.

Some extra takeaways of my add to your review :-

She loves Cody Weightman. He's her favourite Bulldog, even ahead of Bont. Through her words you remember what a great player Cody is. Kicking bags, jumping on Max Gawn'a head. I don't know if he'll get back. Many players don't, in this most attritional of games. But the book is a lovely reminder of what a great player & good bloke young Weightman is. The anti-Toby Greene.

We're increasing worried that young men are problematic, budding misogynists, violent , withdrawn, vapid etc etc etc. This book reminds us that many, if not most , young men are simple creatures who care much more about next week's footy game than Andrew Tate. Garner hams up the innocent granny routine a bit, and is aware that the boys might not act so tastefully away from her earshot. But this is how I remember my teenage years - strong passions for sport, music, art, girls (mostly at a distance) and living a carefree life without too many pressures . I don't think it's changed that much.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

I listened to the audiobook at work, without reading your review . Yes , very enjoyable with a surprising dose of western suburbs.

Some extra takeaways of my add to your review :-

She loves Cody Weightman. He's her favourite Bulldog, even ahead of Bont. Through her words you remember what a great player Cody is. Kicking bags, jumping on Max Gawn'a head. I don't know if he'll get back. Many players don't, in this most attritional of games. But the book is a lovely reminder of what a great player & good bloke young Weightman is. The anti-Toby Greene.

We're increasing worried that young men are problematic, budding misogynists, violent , withdrawn, vapid etc etc etc. This book reminds us that many, if not most , young men are simple creatures who care much more about next week's footy game than Andrew Tate. Garner hams up the innocent granny routine a bit, and is aware that the boys might not act so tastefully away from her earshot. But this is how I remember my teenage years - strong passions for sport, music, art, girls (mostly at a distance) and living a carefree life without too many pressures . I don't think it's changed that much.

Halfway through it, on my iPad.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

This book isn't out of place here. Although it's fiction it is set to a footy background and was written by Bulldog legend Kelvin Templeton.

Acknowledgement to Thunderoad for alerting us to it, and Jake Niall's review.

News - What They're Saying - The Bulldogs Media Thread - Part 5

Pretty mild for Liber jnr, he must be maturing! Just when I thought I couldn't love Libba any more.

www.bigfooty.com

Collision - media - Wilkinson Publishing

Read an exclusive extract of The Many Lives of Barry Humphries by Rowan Dean.

www.wilkinsonpublishing.com.au

A review of Collision

THIS IS NOT A FOOTBALL MEMOIR

THIS IS NOT A FOOTBALL MEMOIR

todayspaper.theaustralian.com.au