Review Footy Books

[dogwatch]

There are plenty of footy books published every year. A lot of them are purportedly by particular players (but usually have the support of an experienced author or journalist). I tend to avoid these as they are usually fairly trite and uncritical hagiographies. As such, they have a very short shelf life and are never books you'd bother re-reading.

In general there have not been that many about the Doggies. This last year has been an exception since we surprised everybody and won a flag just 18 months ago.

So I think it's worth having a thread about footy books - to list them, review them, ask questions about them or even try to locate copies of those that are out of print. Books about the Bulldogs are probably of most interest here, but there are some that have broader appeal (general AFL or footy culture books) and sometimes there are books about other clubs that might be worth a read.

If you are going to post a book review here I recommend you keep it to under 300 words. There's no problem having multiple reviews of the same book. Probably the more the better where it's a good or a controversial book. A case in point might be Martin Flanagan's A Wink From The Universe (WFTU) which has just been released and is attracting some interest.

To help kick off discussion here are books on footy I have. Some of them I've had for a while and haven't read yet ... but I will one day. I've usually found them on a remainders table. I've marked these with a *

Bulldog Specific

• EJ by Ted Whitten with Jim Main and friends (1995) published just after his death
• Southern Sky, Western Oval by Martin Flanagan (1993)
• The Mighty West by Kerrie Soraghan (2017)
• The Footy Lady by Stephanie Asher (2017)
• A Wink from the Universe * by Martin Flanagan (2018) - have just started reading this

General AFL/VFL

• A Game of Our Own * by Geoffrey Blainey (1990)
• The Winter Game * by Robert Pascoe (1995)
• Up Where, Cazaly? * by Leonie Sandercock and Ian Turner (1981)
• The Greatest Game * (an anthology of football writings) edited by Ross Fitzgerald and Ken Spillman (1989)
• The Australian Football Business by Bob Stewart (1983)

Yearbooks and Record Books

I've got a pile of the AFL's annual season guides taking up space on the bookshelf, especially from the last decade or so, but also some that go back a fair way (one from 1977, for instance - it was a much slimmer volume then!)

I also have a fair number of WB publications to members (I've been a member since at least 1996).

I also have a book called Tooheys Guide to Every Game Ever Played 1897-1982 compiled by Stephen Rodgers (1983). Useful for its season by season history of the competition. It has quarter by quarter scorelines for every game over that period, as well as a 2-page narrative for each season.​

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I know I'm not alone but I'd love to get a copy of Too Tough to Die, the story of the 1989 Fightback campaign that saved the club. I gather it has long been out of print.
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Anyway I'll post a review of The Footy Lady (a biography of Susan Alberti) in the near future. Others to follow.

Reviews and other contributions welcome.

 

[fitzroybowiedog]

I read Time and Space: Footy tactics from origins to AFL by James Coventry a while back and really loved. great journey through the way the game has changed on the field.
highly recommend it.
Also Night Games which is not just AFL but other codes as well is a phenomal read. pretty dark look into the problematic culture that often comes with sport.

 

[grassman75]

They are getting on, butbi have the "just for kicks" books with all the funny stories from the players.

Some great stories in there

I read Kerries book while on holidays last year and thoroughly enjoyed it

The other one I've got which is really good is Unleashed - story of Footscray Football Club

 

[worbod]

After our fabulous grand final victory in 2016 I was inspired to buy a copy of Footscray's Royal Year: How Footscray Won the 1954 VFL Premiership by Marc Fiddian. I bought it from Melbourne Sports Books during a trip to Melbourne but after reading through it, I feel I can not rank it as a great book. The book is 84 pages, and when it reaches page 61, the book moves in a different direction, moving onto who won the VFA premiership that season. This is not a major fault at all, I am simply pointing this out. I do not rank this as a great book because it reads as extremely simple. When I bought the book I thought Fiddian was going to deliver insights from within the inner sanctum as to how we played and progressed throughout the season. Instead he merely summarises each round, explaining the results of each game for all teams and how the ladder changed from week to week. I do not feel this exactly explains how we won the premiership. Considering the book was written in 2006 I guess it would have been somewhat difficult for Fiddian to talk to many people who were involved with the club in 1954, but surely there was some material and some people still living who could have given him inside opinions and memories of 1954. I feel as though I could easily write my own book wherein I simply recount each round's results and how the ladder changed.
I do not feel this is a worthless book but it comes across as very basic in what it divulges. I have three of Fiddian's cricket books which I find very thorough in dealing with their topics and I also have his football book Goals, Goals, Goals which I like very much.

 

[TiAn_]

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

 

[worbod]

I don't know that many Big Footy Bulldogs supporters live in or nearby the Bendigo area but The Book Grocer at Lansell Plaza in Kangaroo Flat were selling copies of The Mighty West for $3 last week. Naturally I took to the deal like a canine to a fire hydrant.

 

[dogwatch]

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

 

[W W Biscuit]

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

Wow, that's awesome! I know Garner insofar as she wrote the novel Monkey Grip, which was made into a pretty good film in the early 80s (featuring Noni Hazelhurst, Colin Friels and some great music from the Divinyls). Had no idea that she is a Doggies supporter, nor any knowledge of this book. Thanks for the info. I will definitely check it out!

 

[Arkangel]

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

Thanks for the review. I was given this book for Christmas and it's been sitting on my bedside table ever since, waiting for me to finish another novel I'm currently in the middle of (I read serially, finishing one book before I start another). This might encourage me to speed up a bit to get to it!

 

[Chicago1]

Best footy book about supporters ever written : Our Footy - Real Fans vs Big Bucks by Cheryl Critchley published in 2010. Chapter 5(the first half of it) is especially enlightening. [emoji846]

On SM-A135F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[A dog in Qld]

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

If you've played any under age footy in the western suburbs, as I did in the 70s with St Paul's u15s, you'll recognise all the places she writes about and the highlights & lowlights of each team.
Her grandson trains on the oval between the flats at Kensington & the train line / South Kensington station. A team mate from the 70s rang me while travelling home home on the Laverton train and I was mentioning the book & the oval and he said 'I'm passing there right now!'
It's a good fun read with lots of memories after playing footy in the West and some great observations and commentary about the Dogs.

 

[GetDimmaBack]

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

Thanks, DW.

Helen Garner has been one of my favourite authors since Monkey Grip (as W W Biscuit also mentioned), but I hadn't heard of this one.

Sounds great. Will find a copy.

 

[dogwatch]

Thanks, DW.

Helen Garner has been one of my favourite authors since Monkey Grip (as W W Biscuit also mentioned), but I hadn't heard of this one.

Sounds great. Will find a copy.

Do that. It's a quick read.
She was great in conversation at the NLA too. She's going all right for an 82yo!

 

[GetDimmaBack]

Do that. It's a quick read.
She was great in conversation at the NLA too. She's going all right for an 82yo!

We're in town enjoying a big weekend for our 40th anniversary. Out and about in Yarraville tonight, just had an early dinner and about to enter the Sun theatre to see the Dylan doco/movie ( have I set the scene adequately?)

Next to the theatre is the Sun Bookshop, where they have eleven copies of The Season! Had to buy one, didn't I?

Looking forward to this one! After all, it's written by a "passionate Dogs supporter"!

 

[GetDimmaBack]

We're in town enjoying a big weekend for our 40th anniversary. Out and about in Yarraville tonight, just had an early dinner and about to enter the Sun theatre to see the Dylan doco/movie ( have I set the scene adequately?)

Next to the theatre is the Sun Bookshop, where they have eleven copies of The Season! Had to buy one, didn't I?

Looking forward to this one! After all, it's written by a "passionate Dogs supporter"!

Just left the Sun Theatre - can recommend A Complete Unknown.

Great music, brilliant acting...an absorbing 141 minutes!

 

[TiAn_]

We're in town enjoying a big weekend for our 40th anniversary. Out and about in Yarraville tonight, just had an early dinner and about to enter the Sun theatre to see the Dylan doco/movie ( have I set the scene adequately?)

Next to the theatre is the Sun Bookshop, where they have eleven copies of The Season! Had to buy one, didn't I?

Looking forward to this one! After all, it's written by a "passionate Dogs supporter"!

Congrats on 40 years!

 

[CJWBD]

I’m fortunate enough to have this copy of Too Tough to Die handed down from my long departed Grandmother who along with my Grandfather were born and bred Footscray people. I always keep an eye out in second hand book shops hoping to nab another one to pass on to another doggies person.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GetDimmaBack]

Congrats on 40 years!

Thanks, TiAn!

There's a few one-liners around that, but I won't go there...you don't get to 40 years without discretion

 

[Chicago1]

GetDimmaBack Congratulations! 40 years? That's even longer than Scott and Charlene's wedding. Best wishes to the both of you.

On SM-A135F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

And don’t forget

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Johnno’s book was disappointing in that it was basically descriptions of games. No inside gossip or even BJ’s personal life or opinions.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

These two also have special meaning for Bulldogs fans

 

[GetDimmaBack]

GetDimmaBack Congratulations! 40 years? That's even longer than Scott and Charlene's wedding. Best wishes to the both of you.

On SM-A135F using BigFooty.com mobile app

Thanks, Jim!

We looked Scott & Charlene once upon a time

 

[Chicago1]

Thanks, Jim!

We looked Scott & Charlene once upon a time [emoji6]

Didn't we all. At least I still have my own hair!

On SM-A135F using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[dogwatch]

Posting a link here to Bulldogs Through and Through.

New Book: Bulldogs Through & Through: The History of the Western Bulldogs

Not sure how many of you noticed at the G last night, but the club soft launched a new upcoming club history written by club historians Darren Arthur and Andrew Gigacz. Bulldogs Through & Through: The History of the Western Bulldogs will be published in July and certainly isn’t meant to replace...

www.bigfooty.com

Oliver G might want to add some more info.