Footy's Revolution

Description

From private ownership to drug scandals, salary caps, 'franchise' teams and media proliferation, the ascent of the AFL has been filled with drama, while some of the game's biggest stars - Lockett, Ablett, Carey, Hird, Goodes, Dangerfield and Franklin - have strutted the national stage, garnering admiration and controversy in equal measures. With crowds falling and the competition in Victoria in disarray, desperate measures were required. Many of the original clubs faced a precarious future as the game was ruthlessly rationalised, nationalised and marketed to a new generation. As the code shook off its suburban shackles, sponsorship flooded in, old grounds were swept aside, themed rounds became the norm, Indigenous players rose in prominence and interstate clubs ruled the roost. The AFL has become a genuine national force, with round-the-clock news and opinions, and spectators watching every move, both on and off the field. The game is now played in supersized stadia from Brisbane to Perth, Sydney to Adelaide, with Melbourne steadfastly clinging to its 'spiritual home' status. Footy's Revolution is packed with insider tales, snapshots and first-hand accounts from coaches, players and commentators on the AFL's remarkable rise - and the controversies that accompanied it.

Elliot Cartledge has written extensively about sport, music and travel in Australia and overseas. Born in Gippsland, Victoria, he studied film and literature at Monash University before relocating to the United Kingdom and Latin America. He has played and coached sport on four different continents. Cartledge is the author of four sports books, including two other AFL books: The Hafey Years: Reliving a golden era at Tigerland and Footy's Glory Days: The greatest era of the greatest game. His most recent book, Chasing Shadows: The life & death of Peter Roebuck, co-authored with Tim Lane, was shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year and the Cricket Society & MCC Book of the Year. It won the Cross Cricket Book of the Year and the Australian Cricket Society Literary Award. He lives in Melbourne, Victoria.