sport

While most sporting memoirs paint a glossy picture of on-field moments, former Sydney Swans player Brandon Jack is not afraid to unmask the ugly side of his fleeting success.

Despite a hectic, Covid-influenced season, the AFL grand final is back in its traditional September slot. As fans await the opening bounce, two stories sum up the essence of the game.

For Geelong Cats player Tom Atkins, the path to AFL success has been paved with graft and grind. But his patience and hard work has paid off, earning him another two years at the Cattery.

Born in an Ethiopian refugee camp, Changkuoth Jiath was raised in rural Victoria and, after picking up the oval Sherrin, soon spotted by talent scouts. Now the 21-year-old is one of Hawthorn’s most exciting players and a firm crowd favourite.

For Rana Hussain, being a young Muslim and an Aussie rules fan was a tough match. Instead of turning away from the game, she forged a career fighting for inclusion and diversity.

After a long history of AFL players of colour being abused and left unsupported by the league, it was not surprising when a report into Collingwood FC this week found systemic racism. Can Eddie McGuire start the process of doing better?

John Barnes retired from a 200-plus-game AFL career thinking it had set him up for a comfortable future. Instead he now suffers from epilepsy and watches debilitated from the sidelines as former greats succumb to CTE brain injuries.

For AFL recruiters, scouting future footy stars is tough at the best of times. Now coronavirus has made the usual game of speculation and conjecture that much trickier.

For footy fans struggling under lockdown in Melbourne, the 2020 AFL season has been both a welcome distraction and a reminder of what has been lost. Now it’s set to culminate with the previously unthinkable – a grand final under lights at the Gabba.