Why We Love Footy

Sports journalist and footy fanatic Martin Blake presents fifty of the most unforgettable moments of the national game.

'Stories drawn from the very soul of football and written from the heart. In Martin Blake's hands these iconic moments are vividly captured and celebrated as a timely reminder of footy's capacity to bring joy and meaning.' - Gerard Whateley

What are the unforgettable moments of Aussie Rules that fans of the game remember? Those seemingly supernatural athletic achievements, unimaginable changes in fortunes, heroic acts that imprint in our memories and become the stuff of legends.

Events we remember where we were when we witnessed them or stories we never tire of hearing. Tales passed down the generations with awe and reverence – and the occasional embellishment.

There are the drought breakers, like the death of thColliwobbles. Amazing acts of courage like Nick Riewoldt'crazy-brave mark. The times where footy is part of a bigger picture, like Nicky Winmar's incredible stand against bigotry. Then the heroic moments – 'Jesaulenko, you beauty!' – and the history makers, like the rise of AFLW and Plugger's 1300th goal. Remarkables like Neale Daniher and Scott Pendlebury.

Bestselling author Martin Blake, devoted footy follower for more than 40 years, has drawn on his decades of knowledge to craft a selection of the best 50 footy moments. This is a book for the true fan of the great game of Australian Rules football.

'I'm drawn to those who play or write about footy with passion, thought and finesse. That's Martin Blake.' - Bob Murphy

'To capture why we love footy you need a great writer, and Martin Blake is certainly that.' - William McInnes

About the Author

Martin Blake is a freelance writer based in Melbourne. He has written on sport for almost 40 years, most of it with The Age newspaper, and won awards for coverage of various sports including Australian Rules football, cricket and golf.

Blake has worked at three Olympic Games, three Commonwealth Games, numerous Masters golf tournaments and British Opens, Ashes tours and ICC World Cups. He was inducted into the MCG Media Hall of Fame in 2006 and is a life member of the AFL Media Association.

His previous books include The Rise of the Swans, Mighty Fighting Hawks and collaborative autobiographies with Mark 'Bomber' Thompson, Dane Swan and Shaun Burgoyne.