Promotion of our wonderful game has recently come to the forefront of the AFL’s priorities and the inspirational stories of individuals plastered throughout history are unjustly tales untold outside of astute followers. Is an AFL film franchise on the horizon?
Taking a leaf out of American Football and World Wrestling Entertainment, their codes have engaged the film industry with the NFL using inspirational fairy-tale’s of individual hardships overcoming adversity to realise their dreams.
Draped in underdog sub-culture, Australian footballers have timelessly overcome difficulties to draw emotions of pride and admiration across the nation for overcoming everything they were never supposed to do.
Michael Oher’s story of cultural change from the slums off Memphas to first round draftee in the 2009 NFL Draft grossed over $300m with a $29m budget. Intertwining the adolescence of Oher growing up against the odds, tackling racism, child abuse and poverty, The Blind Side (John lee Hancock, 2009) blends this heart-warming tale with love for football.
Similarly reflecting the integrations of indigenous footballers into our game, Remember the Titans (Jerry Bruckheimer, 2000) follows the merger of two high school football teams, one Caucasian, the other African-American.
Using the game of Football as the link between cultures, this fable of friendship in the eyes of conflict grossed $136m from a $30m budget.
Who could ever forget the story of 168cm Rudy (David Anspaugh, 1993) overcoming his small stature and dyslexia to break the shackles of the lifeless steel mill and work his way onto the Notre Dame practice squad through brutal hard work, illogical aspirations and hardcore determination?
This gives hope to any sports lover who was not blessed with an athletic body.
At the young ol’ age of 20, I have already seen countless inspirational moments typifying the Aussie spirit of doing the impossible for the love of the game. Apologies to those pre 90’s whom I were never able to see in full flight.
So if the AFL were to look at promoting the game of Australian rules towards global acclaim through the marketing tool of film, which of our heart-warming tales of overcoming heart ache would best promote both the Australian spirit and our wonderful game?
In the most selfless acts of helping a mate, Troy Broadbridge sacrificed his life to save the love of his life whom he had married only eight days prior to the devastating Boxing Day Tsunami.
A victim of the unforeseeable Bali Bombings, Jason McCartney was told to give up on any chance at returning to the elitist of leagues after sustaining severe second degree burns to over half his body.
Making his emotional tale of tragedy remarkably admirable is the extent McCartney sacrificed his own safety to save the lives of other patrons who were further from the impact zone than McCartney.
Toiling away at rehabilitation after potentially life ending surgery, McCartney never gave up on his dream regardless of the physical demands of Aussie Rules.
Stringing together one torturous step at a time, McCartney battled through the ranks to eventually stand between the glimmering lights of the MCG to see his beloved Kangaroos down the Tigers by three points in a game where McCartney literally made the match winning play.
In a final act of class and respect, McCartney sent millions of onlookers into frenzies of emotions as he tearfully announced his retirement from the game which pulled him through the devastating ordeal of his experiences.
Each day we walk the streets thanking external forces for our health and wellbeing. Taking for granted the luxuries in life like a cold frothy of a sweltering day, how must Tom Lonergan feel?
Tracking backwards into a pack with his eyes fixed solely on the ball, Lonergan’s fearless attempt on centre wing saw a collision of the most brutal nature.
Copping an accidental knee to the back, this was the beginning of a life changing journey for a young man who was proving himself as a key forward of the highest calibre.
Unaware of the extent of the injury, medicos rushed Lonergan to hospital where his life would be forever changed. Discovering a lacerated kidney, surgeons had no choice but conduct a six hour life threatening operation to save the life of the then 21 year old Lonergan by removing a kidney.
At crossroads of his near blossoming career, Lonergan was told the rigours of AFL football would be too much and playing on could see near fatal results. No one would have called him ‘soft’ to live out his life away from the brutality of bodies crashing packs dozens of times per game.
But he wouldn’t give up. Trekking the intensive comeback trail, Lonergan was a man determined to be part of Geelong’s dynasty and live out his dream.
Winning the Norm Goss Memorial medal for his six goal effort in the 2007 VFL Grand Final, it is unfortunate he does not have a premiership medal to show for his 2008 season after playing 16 games for a return of 36 goals.
Jim Stynes. Need I say more?
Through the life blood of our wonderful game, history is enshrined with stories of inspiration, admiration and determination. With Australia’s film industry and talent stronger than ever before, perhaps the next step in promoting our nation and its sporting identity will be through international acclaim.
It is these stories which evoke the mightiest feelings of pride and respect. The time has come for the world to share these harrowing emotions.
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