Boomerang Books Info Bank

As we launch into another season of football, it’s a good time to reflect on where the game has come from, and just how much it is interwoven with the fabric of the Australian cultural identity. Self-confessed Carlton supporter Paula Hunt has done a remarkable job of presenting a potted history of this uniquely Australian pastime in Shirtfront. From the first recognised game between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar in 1858, to the corporate structure and development of the AFL today, Hunt tells the story of the evolution of the game, its great names and its light and dark times in an accessible style that emphasises her love of the code. What is clear in Shirtfront is that Australian Rules Football has always been the people’s game. As the nation grew, so did the experience of playing, officiating and barracking for ‘the team’. Wether it was Ron Barassi jumping ship to coach Carlton, the introduction of television into the arena, or move from VFL to AFL, Australians have always felt a part of the process and connected to their club. Packed with stats, dates and referenced to developments in politics and culture, Shirtfront serves as a nonfiction reference that is both engaging and entertaining.