General and Historical Works
This section includes general histories of Australian Rules football and any works with a variety of elements which do not allow them to be fitted into a more specific category. Many earlier books contain elements such as history, coaching tips, biographies, statistics, laws of the game, descriptions of the game's features and topical articles about football issues. Books with a variety of these elements have been listed in this section.
Club histories for major and minor leagues are listed separately. Histories of various leagues or football in particular regions encompassing a number of leagues are included in this section.
Adamson, David & Australian Football League, Portrait of a Season: The Newsmakers, Heroes, Results and Issues of Season 2001, AFL: [Melbourne], 2001.
AFL Premiers 2011, Slattery Media Group: Docklands, Vic., 2011.
Allsopp, Ray & Baker, Astri, The Name of the Game Is -- Australian Football, Aussie Sport Books, Aussie Sports Books: Surry Hills, NSW, 1991.
Anderton, Buck, Football: The Country Way, J. Stoward: Hobart, 1999.
Anderton, Buck, Football: The People's Game, B. Anderton: Triabunna [Tas.], 2004.
Anderton, Buck, More on Football, Central Coast Courier: Orford, Tas., 2002.
Atkinson, Graeme & Atkinson, Brant, The Complete Book of AFL Finals, 2009 edition ; Fully revised & updated. edn., Five Mile Press: Scoresby, Vic., 2009.
This has become the standard reference work for the history of VFL/AFL finals, with summaries of each finals series and statistics. First published as The Courage Book of VFL Finals, 1897-1972, Melbourne:
Courage Breweries, 1973. TH.
Aussie Rules Top 40, 1976-1985: Tributes to 40 All-Time Champions, from Hudson to Ablett - the Biggest Names of the Last 10 Years, Federal Publishing Company: Melbourne, 1986.
Australasian Football Council, Official Programme: Jubilee of Australasian Football, Melbourne, August, 1908, Australasian Football Council: Melbourne, 1908.
Australia, Parliament Senate, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. & Nash, Fiona, Matters Relating to the Establishment of an Australian Football League Team for Tasmania: Report, Senate Committee Report / Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee: [Canberra], 2009.
Australian Football, Murray's Sports Series, Rev. Ed., Murray: Ultimo, NSW, 1979.
Australian Football in Canberra: 1911-1973, s.n.: Canberra, ACT, 1973.
Australian Football League, 100 Years of Australian Football, Viking: Ringwood, Vic., Australia; New York, N.Y., 1996.
Now, with the Centenary of the Australian Football League, comes the big book to capture every football fan, 100 years of Australian football. It is the complete story of our game, combining lively reporting of each season's stories, pictures of the great moments and stirring accounts of football's legends. ...This history of the AFL starts with its pre-season - the early history from 1858 - before beginning its colourful year-by-year coverage. Publisher’s blurb.
Australian Football League, The AFL and Indigenous Australia, Australian Football League: [Melbourne], 2004.
Ballarat Football League., "100 Years On": Centenary, Ballarat Football League, 1893-1993, Ballarat Football League: Ballarat, Vic., 1993.
Barassi, Ron & Gregory, Richard E., Australian Football Stories, Methuen Australia: Sydney, 1981.
Barker, Anthony J., East, Alan, West Australian Football Commission, & West Australian Football League, Behind the Play: A History of Football in Western Australia from 1868, West Australian Football Commission: Perth , WA, 2004.
A comprehensive history of football in Western Australia. TH.
Bartholomeusz, Gary, Great Southern Football League: 10 Years On, J.& G. Bartholomeusz: Kendenup, WA, 2000.
Batchelder, Alf, Pavilions in the Park: A History of the Melbourne Cricket Club and its Ground, Australian Scholarly Publishing: Melbourne, 2005.
Batchelder, Alf, Playing the Greater Game: The Melbourne Cricket Club and Its Ground in World War I, MP Publications: Brighton, Vic., 1998.
Bendigo Football League Inc., Bendigo Football League Inc. Proudly Presents Hall of Fame: In Commemoration of the Bendigo Football League's 125th Anniversary; Persian Room, Friday, 19th September, 1986, the League: Bendigo, 1986.
This publication provides a fine introduction to the history of one of Victorian country football's strongest leagues. It contains brief, but well-written profiles of the people elected to the Bendigo Football League Hall of Fame, preceded by descriptive but useful accounts of the history of the league and its clubs. A new edition would be welcome. LF.
Blainey, Geoffrey, A Game of Our Own: The Origins of Australian Football, Information Australia: Melbourne, 1990.
An important work by one of Australia's most distinguished historians, Blainey argues convincingly that Australian Rules football developed independently before the similar Irish game of football, with origins similar to early forms of football in England. Blainey traces the evolution and development of the game in detail and looks at the possible influence of 'Marn Grook', an Aboriginal form of football. Apart from the central question of origins, Blainey also examines the early development of football in Victoria and other states, especially South Australia, until the 1880s. This volume is enhanced by a superb selection of early photographs and illustrations and an appendix which includes a selection of the earliest rules of Australian football, including the Gaelic rules of 1889. Contains an index, endnotes and annotated list of sources. Later editions were published in 2003 and 2010. TH.
Bloch, Fred & South Australian Amateur Football League, A History of the South Australian Amateur Football League 1911-1994, SA Amateur Football League: North Adelaide, 1995.
Blow, Reg & Poulter, Jim, Readings in Indigenous Cultural Heritage, Red Hen: Templestowe, Vic., 2009.
These four readings in indigenous cultural heritage are literally a lifetime's accumulation by the authors. Because of the cumulative effects of dispossession, dispersal and cultural repression over the past two hundred years, much cultural knowledge was lost. That which has survived has often been fragmentary, from various sources.Publisher’s blurb.
Bond, Fred R. & Grossman, Don, Evergreen Hampden: History of the Hampden Football League - Its People and Their Progress, PAP Book Co.: Warrnambool, Vic., 1979.
Breckon, Richard & Australia Post, Play On: 150 Years of Australian Football, Australia Post: [Melbourne], 2008.
Browne, Ashley & Slattery, Geoff, Grand Finals: The Stories Behind the Premier Teams of the Victorian Football League. Volume 1, 1897-1938, Slattery Media Group: Docklands, Vic., 2011.
There is no greater prize in Australian team sport than the VFL/AFL premiership flag. This book, the first in an illustrated three-volume series, details the players, the officials, the matches and the other key events that shaped the premiership team every year. Publisher’s blurb.
Buggy, Hugh, Let's Look at Football, Argus: Melbourne, 1952.
Buggy, Hugh, Taylor, Percy, & Banfield, Peter, Football Headlines: Great Men and Great Moments of the Australian Game, Argus and Australasian Ltd.: Melbourne, 1955.
Bunton, H., McHale, J. F., & Pratt, R., Our Australian Game of Football, C.G. Hartley & Co.: Melbourne, 1936.
Promoted as a 'treatise on the Australian game of football', this book covers numerous aspects of football, with illustrated and instructional sections on the art, skills, psychology and tactics of the game, as well as fitness and training methods. An extensive chapter about 'systems and tactics' is of particular interest to students of the tactical evolution of the game. An article by VFL umpire Bob Scott provides an insight into the interpretation of the rules and the desired qualities for umpiring. Included are articles on ‘The Football Industry’, examining the manufacture of footballs, school football and football administration and several pictures and profiles of star players of the time from all states, including NSW and Queensland. First published as McHale, J. F., Taylor, E. C. H. and Chadwick, A. E., The Australian Game of Football, Hartley: Melbourne, 1931. TH.
Burke, Graham, Football: Heroes of the Hill: Those Wild Old Westies, Graham Burke: St Kilda West, Vic., 1999.
Burke, Graham, Graham "Bushy" Burke's Football: Heroes of the Hill, Heroes of the Hill: St Kilda West, Vic., 1999.
Bye, Peter & Speedie Electrical Industries., The Speedie Guide to Football, 1968 edn., Speedie Electrical Industries: [Melbourne], 1968.
Editions also published in 1963 and 1966.
Carroll, Ray, From the Boundary: Football at Assumption, [R.W. Carroll]: [Kilmore, Vic.], 1979.
Carroll, Ray, Hat Trick: Football and Cricket at Assumption 1978-1980, R. Carroll: Kilmore, Vic., 1980.
Carroll, Ray, When Winter Comes 1893, Central Highlands Newspapers: Kilmore [Vic.], 1990.
Carter, Peter & ACT-Monaro Amateur Football League, Twenty Five Years of Amateur Football, 1970-1995, ACT-Monaro Amateur Football League: [Canberra], 1997.
Caruso, Santo, Main, Jim, & Fiddian, Marc, Football Grounds of Melbourne, Pennon Publishing: Essendon North [Vic.], 2002.
Caruso has compiled 42 concise histories of major football grounds in the greater Melbourne and Geelong area, with numerous historical and contemporary photographs of the grounds and their facilities. Caruso also provides descriptions of each ground's character and major features and has produced a timely publication with the demise of many grounds as venues for top level football. Contains several black and white pictures and is produced in folio format. TH.
Cheffers, John & Narleski, Greg, The Story of Usfooty, Lexington Press: Lexington, Mass., 2003.
Christian, Geoff, Lee, Jack, & Messenger, Bob, The Footballers, from 1885 to the West Coast Eagles, Rev. edn., St. George Books: Perth, WA, 1988.
Earlier edition published in 1985.
Clarke, Brian, Aussie Rules the World: A History of International Football, s.n.: S.l., 2002.
Daffey, Paul, Local Rites: A Year in Grass Roots Football in Victoria and Beyond, Black Duck Publications: Flemington, Vic., 2001.
A collection of 26 pieces exploring country and suburban football during the 2000 season. Daffey observes, chronicles and analyses the people, places and issues of grass roots football with great perception and empathy. The focus is on Victoria, with excursions to Southern NSW and King Island. Daffey provides descriptions of matches attended, the clubs involved, the characters and the communities that sustain them. Three pieces are included examining the infamous Hepburn versus Dunnstown brawl in the Central Highlands Football League and the aftermath of this well-publicised feud. The text is accompanied by high quality photographs by Ian Kenins and includes a season review of suburban and country leagues for 2000. An index of names and bibliography is also included. TH.
Daffey, Paul & Kenins, Ian, Beyond the Big Sticks: Country Football around Australia, Lothian Books: South Melbourne, Vic., 2003.
Daily News (Perth WA), Fanfare: Daily News Football Book, 1948, Daily News: [Perth, WA], 1948.
Darwin Football Association (Tas.), Darwin Footballl Association: Fifty Seasons of Football, 1951-2000: Jubilee Record, Jubilee Committee: Burnie, Tas., 2000.
De Pierres, Paul, "Kick Long!": The History of Football in Wyalkatchem District 1914-1994, P. de Pierres: [Wyalkatchem, WA], 1995.
Deller, Bill & Australian Football League Umpires Association, The Man in White: 100 Years of Umpiring with the VFL and the AFL: The Official History of the AFL Umpires' Association, JoJo Publishing: Docklands, Vic., 2009.
East, Alan, The Sandover Medal Men: A History of Western Australia's Most Prestigious Football Award, A. East: Perth, WA, 2006.
Everett, Les & Goldfields Football League, Gravel Rash: 100 Years of Goldfields Football, Goldfields Football League: Fremantle, WA, 1996.
A rich lode of information, with interesting and informative accounts of clubs and careers in the West Australian goldfields, some excellent photos and an index. LF.
Feldmann, Jules & Victorian Football League, Waverley, a Permanent Home at Last for Australia's National Game, Produced by Alfred Heintz for the Victorian Football League: [Melbourne], 1964.
Fiddian, Marc, Boilovers, Thrillers and Grand Eras: In League and Association Football, Pakenham Gazette: Pakenham [Vic.], 1994.
This work contains brief histories of the great upsets, close matches and periods of dominance by League and Association teams in Victoria. Contains a detailed analysis of wins and losses by teams for each decade and includes a name index, bibliography and several black and white photographs. TH.
Fiddian, Marc, Goals, Goals, Goals: A Study of League and Association Full-Forwards, South East Independent: Pakenham, Vic., 1996.
Fiddian, Marc, The Pioneers: 100 Years of Association Football, Victorian Football Assoc.: Jolimont, Vic., 1977.
Fiddian, Marc, The VFA: A History of the Victorian Football Association (1877-1995), the Author: Melbourne, 2004.
This is more substantial than Fiddian's earlier history of the VFA, The Pioneers: 100 Years of Association Football. As with nearly all of Fiddian’s works there is no index or bibliography. LF.
Fiddian, Marc & Victorian Football Association, The Roar of the Crowd: A History of VFA Grand Finals, Victorian Football Association: Jolimont, Vic., 1987.
Fascinating accounts of VFA Grand Finals, with match details and team placings. A new edition would be welcome. TH.
Flagg, George & Taylor, Roy, Australian Football Along the Line: Concerning the Development of Australian Football 1890-1990, Barellan League, Ariah Park, Tara & Ardlethan Associations, G. Flagg: Moombooldool, NSW, 1992.
Flanagan, Martin, 1970 & Other Stories of the Australian Game, Allen & Unwin: St Leonards, NSW, 1999.
An acclaimed sports writer, Flanagan explores one of football's greatest matches, the 1970 VFL Grand Final. Flanagan examines some of the folklore associated with this match, especially the notion it marked the birth of 'handball' or 'play on football'. This is done by way of interviews with most of the participants in the match. Flanagan also examines the impact of the match on their lives. The rest of the book contains a selection of Flanagan's football articles, most of which were first published in the Melbourne Age newspaper and which include portraits of fans, players, clubs and memories of football from the author’s childhood. TH.
Flanagan, Martin, The Game in Time of War, Pan Macmillan: Sydney, 2003.
Flanagan, Martin, The Last Quarter: A Trilogy, One Day Hill: Camberwell East, Vic., 2008.
Martin Flanagan has been writing Australian football for 25 years. The Last Quarter brings together three of his books that sum up that period. Publisher’s blurb. 2nd edition published in 2009.
Flinders Football League, Flinders Football League: Jubilee Souvenir 1912-1961.
Football '70: The Royal Year, Herald-Sun Privilege Book: Melbourne, 1970.
A pictorial publication covering the Richmond versus Fitzroy match played in the first round of 1970, with Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Anne in attendance. Contains articles on various aspects of the game, including the recently opened VFL Park at Waverley and a brief preview of the forthcoming football season. One 'how to play' article is included with instructional black and white and colour pictures throughout. TH.
Gascoyne, John, 40 Mortlocks: A History of the Mortlock Shield, 1938-1988, John Gascoyne: [Ceduna, SA], 1989.
Football Today: Herald-Sun Privilege Book, 1961, Herald-Sun: Melbourne, 1961.
A pictorial publication with both black and white and colour pictures, this work contains articles by football identities of the period on a range of topics, with features on 'Fans' and a pictorial feature on 'Women's Football', along with sections on football skills and techniques. The main emphasis is on the VFL, with one item on the VFA. TH.
Football's Fabulous Century, Carlton, Sydney, Brisbane, St. Kilda, Collector Series, Sunday Times: [Perth, WA], 2000.
Footy and the Clubs That Make It: Glenelg, North, Norwood, Port, South, Sturt, Torrens, West: The Story of the Eight Clubs That Form the South Australian National Football League, Commercial Printing House: Adelaide, 1958.
Footy and the Clubs That Make It: The Full Story of the Twelve Clubs of the Victorian Football League, Argus: [Melbourne], 1954.
Gascoyne, John, Far West Football League: 1906-1986, J. Gascoyne: [Ceduna, SA], 1986.
Gascoyne, John, Le Hunte Football League, 1918-1982, J. Gascoyne: Minnipa, SA, 1983.
Gascoyne, John, The Mail Medal: 1933-1940, 1949-1996, John Gascoyne: Thevenard, SA, 1996.
Gascoyne, John, The Mail Medal, 1933-2006, Rev. Ed., J. Gascoyne: Thevenard, SA, 2007.
The Sunday Mail newspaper presents the best and fairest footballer in each country league in South Australia with a medal. This book has all the medalists, runners up and thirds, with votes. Contains 600 photographs and comprehensive statistics.
Gascoyne, John, A Touch of Magic: A History of Aboriginal Football on Eyre Peninsula 1906-2005, Openbook Australia: Thevenard, SA, 2006.
Gilchrist, James, Wednesday Warriors: Doing It for the Jumper, the St Pat's Ballarat Tradition, Connor Court Publishing: Ballan, Vic.
Great Flinders Football League, Great Flinders Football League: Centenary 1911-2011, Great Flinders Football League Committee: Cummins, SA., 2011.
Includes many team portraits, lists of players and award-winners, competition results and very brief information about the Great Flinders Netball Association.
Greenwood, Cliff & Mid Gippsland Football League, Mid Gippsland Football League Full Results, 1935-92: Seniors, Reserves, Thirds, Fourths, The League: Gippsland, Vic., 1993.
Gunton, Eric, Football Flashback, [2nd Ed., s.n.]: [Adelaide, 1960.
Gunton, Eric, Football Flashbacks 1954, Dawn Publications: Adelaide, 1954.
Handley, George, The Great Grand Finals, Walshe Publishing: Geelong, Vic., 1989.
Harris, Greg, Gregory's Australian Football, Sports Series, Gregory's: Macquarie Park, NSW, 1985.
Harrison, H. C. A., Australasian Football Council, & South Australian Football League, Souvenir of Australian Football Carnival, Adelaide, August 2nd to 14th, 1911 under the Patronage of the Australasian Football Council & the South Australian League, The Council: [Adelaide], 1911.
Published by the Australasian Football Council in 1911 as a souvenir program for football fans and contains many fascinating snippets which provide an insight into the place of football in the community at that time. Includes special articles by H. C. A. Harrison Esq. 'founder of the game', on the history and future of the game in the Empire, historic clubs and famous players. This work is especially interesting for the large number of lavishly illustrated advertisements promoting football products. TH.
Herald, Sun & Gary, Oxley, Football's Fabulous Century, Herald Sun: Melbourne, 1999.
Two copies of a series featuring all AFL clubs with historic photographs and information. The copies relate to North Melbourne and Melbourne Football Clubs.
Hess, Rob, A National Game: The History of Australian Rules Football, Penguin: Camberwell, Vic., 2008.
Tells the complete story of the evolution of Australian Rules football. In this definitive history, the authors look at the origins of the game, how it spread beyond Melbourne, the development of the modern game and the flowering of the sport at a national and international level.
Hess, Rob & Australian Society for Sports History., Making Histories, Making Memories: The Construction of Australian Sporting Identities, ASSH Studies, Australian Society for Sports History: Melbourne, Vic., 2006.
Hess, Rob & Stewart, Bob, More Than a Game: an Unauthorized History of Australian Rules Football, Melbourne University Press: Carlton, Vic., 1998.
This important work traces the growth of Australian Football from 1858 through to the development of the national league. The eight chapters are presented in chronological order, with several consistent themes emphasised throughout, including the early development of the game, the formation of the VFA, the VFA/VFL split, football during the war years, creeping professionalism, the impact of press, radio and television coverage, player recruitment, venues and change, club and league structures and the development of a national league. Contributors focus on football at the elite level, with the emphasis on Victoria and occasional references to developments in other states. This scholarly and substantial work builds upon earlier studies by Sandercock and Turner (1981) and Pascoe (1995). Contains several black and white photographs and cartoons and includes an index, endnotes and bibliography. TH.
Hibbins, G. M., The Cambridge Connection: The Origin of Australian Rules Football, F. Cass: London, 1989.
Hibbins, G. M., Sport and Racing in Colonial Melbourne: The Cousins and Me: Colden Harrison, Tom Wills and William Hammersley, Lynedoch Publications: Melbourne, 2007.
Hibbins, G. M., Ruddell, Trevor, & Melbourne Cricket Club. Library., "A Code of Our Own": Celebrating 150 Years of the Rules of Australian Football, Melbourne Cricket Club Library: Jolimont [Vic.], 2009.
Hillier, Kevin, History of the WRFL/FDFL, Common Ground: Altona, Vic., 2007.
Hillman, Robert, Aussie Rules Football, Great Aussie Sports, Echidna Books: Carlton, Vic., 2003.
This series provides an overview of the sport, with emphasis on the history of the sport in Australia. Students are encouraged to get involved, with infomration on how to go about training and accessing sporting groups. Legendary players are profiled along with information on the rules and scoring.
Hills Football Association, A Resource History, Hills Football Association 1946-1986, The Association: [Mundaring, WA], 1986.
Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim, This Football Century, Wilkinson: Melbourne, 1996.
Hopkins, Ted, The Stats Revolution: The Life, Loves and Passion of Football's Futurist, Slattery Media Group: Docklands, Vic., 2011.
Ted Hopkins achieved the ultimate in Australian Football when he played a starring role in Carlton.s 1970 premiership. His impact on the game in retirement has been revolutionary thanks to his driving role in the creation and growth of match and team statistics and information data for the AFL industry. Publisher’s blurb.
Hunt, Paula, Shirt Front: A Short and Amazing History of Aussie Rules, Black Dog Books: Fitzroy, Vic., 2005.
A lightweight work suitable for fans seeking an introduction to some of the game's history, personalities, incidents, stories and memorable moments. Hunt uses a chronological approach with timelines of major events to introduce each chapter. Includes a name index and bibliography. TH.
Hunt, Rex & Bond, Graeme, The Fat Lady Sings: 40 Years in Footy, News Custom Publishing: Southbank, Vic., 2005.
Hutchinson, Garrie, Great Australian Football Stories, Viking O'Neil: Ringwood, Vic., 1989.
An extensive collection of writing on football in Melbourne, sourced mainly from the pages of newspapers and magazines. Along with the many match reports, player portraits and more general articles about the state of football, there are pieces examining the character of 'barrackers' and spectator culture in general. Includes stories and poetry, as well as newspaper reports, covering a time span from 1858 through to the early 1980s, arranged in chronological, decadal order. The primary emphasis is on the VFL. First published as Hutchinson, Garrie, The Great Australian Book of Football Stories, Currey O'Neil: South Yarra, Vic, 1983. TH.
Hyde, Don & Main, Jim, Beyond the Call: Great Commentators of Australian Football, Hardie Grant Books: Prahran, Vic., 2005.
Jaggard, Edwin, Ryan, Jan, & University of Western Australia. Centre for Western Australian History, Perspectives on Sport and Society, Studies in Western Australian History,, Centre for Western Australian History, Dept. of History, University of Western Australia: Nedlands, WA, 1997.
Johnson, Joseph, For the Love of the Game, the Centenary History of the Victorian Amateur Football Association, 1892-1992, Hyland House: South Yarra, Vic., 1992.
A scholarly, analytical history with excellent photos and contains an index. TH.
Judd, Barry, On the Boundary Line: Colonial Identity in Football, Studies in Indigenous History and Culture, Australian Scholarly Publishing: North Melbourne, Vic., 2008.
Since the establishment of the AFL in 1990, Australian football has increasingly represented itself as Australia's national game. This book utilises football to examine what it means to be anglo Australian or an Aboriginal Australian in 21st Australia. Publisher’s blurb.
Kazok, Jaruj, Australian Rules Football in Foreign Countries, Jaruj Kazok: [South Hedland, WA, 2008.
Kenins, Ian & Daffey, Paul, Beyond the Big Sticks: Country Football around Australia, Lothian Books: South Melbourne, Vic., 2003.
Knuckey, C. K., South Australian Football: The Past and the Present, Associated Publishers: Adelaide, 1960.
Koorda and Districts Agricultural Society., Local Football Club Histories: Celebrating Aussie Rules AFL Centenary 1897-1996, Koorda and Districts Agricultural Society: Koorda, WA, 1996.
This is the program for the Koorda Show 1996, the 56th Koorda and Districts Agricultural Society Inc Show. The theme of the show was 100 years of Aussie rules to celebrate the centenary of the AFT. Gives the names of the Australian Rules clubs in the Koorda district and a brief history of each club since the 1920s when the area was opened for farming. Includes clubs called: Booralaming, Cadoux, Ejanding, Gabbin, Koorda and Mollerin. The Show's special AFL guest was Ben T. Allen of the Fremantle Football Club. Lists the office bearers of the Society.
Lee, David, Barfoot, Michael, & Northern Territory Football League, NTFL (Northern Territory Football League): A History of Australian Football in Darwin and the Northern Territory from 1916 to 1995, Northern Territory Football League: [Darwin], 1995.
This is mainly a collection of statistics and records. There are a few short but interesting chapters on women's involvement in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL), commercial and media support, personalities, characters and families and the origins of football competition in Darwin. Two chapters record the NTFL players who have succeeded in other major leagues, or major league players who have played in the NTFL. A useful reference book with statistics and records of the various clubs of the NTFL and several black and white photographs. TH.
Linnell, Garry, Football Ltd: The inside Story of the AFL, Ironbark: Sydney, 1995.
A ground breaking book which looks at the transformation of the VFL from a prestigious suburban based competition into the richest and most powerful national sport in Australia. Linnell examines the game behind the game, the corporate power plays, league and club politics, commercialism and marketing and the ambitious, passionate personalities at the administrative level. The focus is on the 1980s, more detailed historical developments are outlined where necessary to provide context for various topics. Linnell composed this work after extensive research and interviews with many of the key figures of football in the 1970s and 1980s. TH.
Maddern, Peter, Australian Football: The Complete Guide, Young's Publishing House: Chicago, 1994.
Main, Jim, The Armchair Footy Record: For Planes, Trains and Favourite Rooms, Geoff Slattery Publishing: Docklands, Vic., 2005.
Main, Jim, Aussie Rules for Dummies, --for Dummies, Wiley Publishing Australia: Milton, Qld., 2003.
Main, Jim, Football's Black Book, Five Mile Press: Noble Park, Vic., 1998.
A history of VFL/AFL tribunal cases, with detailed description of thirty famous cases between 1898 and 1998. The statistics chapter lists every player reported, the charge(s), verdicts and sentences and includes a table of the League's most reported players. Contains several black and white pictures. TH.
Main, Jim, Hutton's Footy Book 1981, Market Place Marketing Group: Melbourne, 1981.
Main, Jim, More Than a Century of AFL Grand Finals, Pennon Publishing: Essendon North, Vic., 2001.
Main, Jim, When It Matters Most: The Norm Smith Medalist and Best on Ground in Every Grand Final, Bas Publishing: Melbourne, 2006.
Main, Jim & Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Great Southern Grandstand, ABC Books for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Sydney, 1995.
Main, Jim & Connolly, Rohan, More Than a Century of AFL Grand Finals, New Ed., Pennon Publishing: Essendon, Vic., 2005.
First published in 2001.
Main, Jim & Dunn, John, Australian Rules Football: An Illustrated History, Lansdowne: Melbourne, 1974.
An introductory history of the game which concentrates on Victoria, with shorter sections on South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Each chapter briefly describes the origins of Australian football in those states and then traces major developments up to 1973. The emphasis is on great players, coaches, teams, clubs and famous matches, with some coverage of major off-field issues such as new grounds, emergence of new teams, rule changes, football during wartime and the advent of television coverage. The main emphasis is on the major leagues with some references to the VFA. The statistics section lists the premiers and top four finishers for all major football states. Sourced mainly from newspaper reports and Gavan Daws, 'The Origins of Australian Football', an Honours thesis completed at the Department of History, University of Melbourne, 1954. Contains many classic illustrations and photographs, but inadequate citation. TH.
Main, Jim & Greenwood, Geoff, Grand Finals: Victorian Australian Rules' Greatest Moments, Murray Sports Nostalgia Series, Murray: Sydney, 1978.
Marlow, Jesse & Murray, Neil, Centre Bounce: Football from Australia's Heart, Hardie Grant Books: South Yarra, Vic., 2003.
Football is a part of everyday life for almost every Aboriginal kid who grows up in the Northern Territory. In this powerful collection of black and white photography, Jesse Marlow captures the heart of the game up north, in places such as Alice Springs, Bathurst Island, Darwin and East Arnhem Land. With a foreword by prominent footballer Michael Long, an introduction by poet, journalist and author Martin Flanagan and personal reflections from songwriter, performer, poet and author Neil Murray, Centre Bounce offers an amazing glimpse into the life of football in the Northern Territory, and is a heartfelt collection of the characters that make up the game. Publisher's blurb.
Marsh, Naomi & Murray, Peter, The History of AFL: Australian Rules Football, Parragon Publishing: South Yarra, Vic., 2008.
Marshall, Barbara & A.C.T. Australian Football Junior League, Junior Australian Football in Canberra, 50 Years of Growing Up: A History of Junior Australian Rules During the Period 1931-1981, A.C.T. Australian Football Junior League: Canberra, 1981.
Marshall, Barbara & ACTAFL, The National Game in the National Capital: 60 Years of Achievement: A Pictorial History of Australian Football and the People Who Made it Great from 1923-1982, A.C.T.A.F.L.: [Canberra], 1983.
McDonald, Ian & Victorian Football League, Finals Action: VFL 1979 Season Official Souvenir, Victorian Football League: Melbourne, 1979.
McDonald, Ian & Victorian Football League, Finals Fever: VFL 1978 Season Official Souvenir, Victorian Football League: Melbourne,1978.
McDonald, Ian & Victorian Football League, VFL Final Series 1977, VFL Publication, Garry Sparke & Associates for the Victorian Football League: Melbourne, 1977.
McGill, Craig & Elliott, Susan, Footy Dogs: The Dogs of Australian Rules Football, Rozelle Giant Dog Publishing, 2005.
McGrath, Vincent, Bywaters, Malcolm, Bywaters, Malcom, Lindley, Margaret, & University of Tasmania. School of Visual and Performing Arts, White Line Fever: 5 July-6 August, University of Tasmania, School of Visual and Performing Arts: Launceston, Tas., 2004.
McHale, J. F., Taylor, E. C. H., & Chadwick, A. E., The Australian Game of Football, Hartley: Melbourne, 1931.
McKenzie, Alan G. & National Football League of Australia, 1975 Championship Series: VFL Park, Melbourne, Saturday June 14, Kenneth Heyes: Glen Iris, Vic., 1975.
McKenzie, Alan G. & Victorian Football League, League Football in Victoria, 2nd Rev. Ed., Victorian Football League: Jolimont, Vic, 1977.
McLaren, Harold, River Murray Football League, H.G. McLaren: Murray Bridge, SA, 2004.
McLaren, Robert, Playing Footy and Milking Cows: The Mt Noorat Football League, R. McLaren: [Leopold, Vic.], 2006.
McNamara, Dave, Football, Page & Bird: Melbourne, 1914.
McNicol, Adam, Marching On: 85 Years of Football in the Manangatang District, Adam McNicol: Parkville, Vic., 2000.
Michael, Ron, Great Goals: The Goulburn Valley Football League 1894-1994. Goulburn Valley Football League: Shepparton, Vic., 1994.
A brief text, supplemented with useful reproduced press cuttings. LF.
Mid Gippsland Football League, Mid Gippsland Fl Results, 1935 to 1987: Reserves, Thirds, Fourths, The League: [Gippsland, Vic.], 1987.
Mitchell, Charlie, The Charlie Mitchell Football Book: Incidents and Records of Australian Rules Football, Mt. Lawley Print: Mt. Lawley, WA, 1967.
Mullen, C. C., History of Australian Rules Football, 1858 to 1958, Horticultural Press: Melbourne, 1958.
This pioneering work is generally accepted as the first comprehensive history of Australian Rules football, although it lacks footnotes, a bibliography and an index. TH.
Murray, John, Our Great Game: The Photographic History of Australian Football, Slattery Media Group: Docklands, Vic., 2010.
This book will take you on a journey of the country's biggest sporting code, from its origins in 1858 right through to the present day, in more than 300 pages of stunning images. This glossy, coffee-table style publication brings together the most complete collection of images ever published on the game, some of which have not previously been seen by the sporting public. Publisher’s blurb.
Napper, Monica, Eve, Peter Anthony, McMillan, Andrew, & Moodie, David, Tiwi Footy: Yiloga, F11 Productions: Darwin, 2008.
Newby, H. D., A Profusely Illustrated Souvenir and Programme of the Australasian Football Jubilee Carnival, 1908: Special Articles, Printed and published by J. L. Anderson & Sons: Melbourne, 1908.
Nicholas Australia, The Fun of Football: A Special Community Service Booklet, Nicholas: Chadstone, Vic., 1969.
Norman, Alan & Coreen & District Football League, Coreen & District Football Leaque Finals History, 1894-1994, Coreen & District Football League: Corowa, NSW, 1995.
100 Years of Australian Football, 1897-1996, Penguin Books Australia: Ringwood, Vic., 1997.
Orive, Sasha & State Library of Victoria, Victorian Rules: Populi Ludos Populo - the Game of the People for the People, State Library of Victoria: Melbourne, Vic., 1996.
A catalogue and article to accompany an exhibition of football material held in March and April 1996 using the collections of the State Library of Victoria. The article describes the early history of the game in Victoria and its evolution over a hundred years. Contains a bibliography and an electronic version accessible from the National Library of Australia archive, Pandora, at: http://www.statelibrary.Vicgov.au/slv/exhibitions/football/
Archived at Australian National Library for the State Library of Victoria at http://nla.gov.au/nla.arc-41738.
Ovens and Murray Football League: History Book 1893-1954, Ovens and Murray Football League: Wangaratta, Vic., 1954.
Oxley, Editor Gary, Our Game: 150 Years of Footy, Herald & Weekly Times: Southbank, Vic., 2008.
Oxley, Gary & Herald and Weekly Times, Football's Fabulous Century, Collector Series, Herald and Weekly Times: Melbourne, 1999.
Palmer, Scot & Hobbs, Greg, 100 Great Marks, Sun Books: South Melbourne, Vic., 1974.
A pictorial record of many famous marks, with revised editions published in 1974 and 1976. TH.
Parry, Seff, Football: The Australian Game, [S. Parry: Wembly, WA, 1948]
Parry, Seff & Western Australian National Football League, Football: The Australian Game, 2nd ed., Western Australian National Football League?: Perth, WA, 1958.
Pascoe, Rob, The Winter Game: The Complete History of Australian Football, The Text Pub. Co.: Port Melbourne, Vic., 1995.
A general history with a major emphasis on the origins and development of the game in Victoria. Pascoe examines the cultural, social and political differences between Melbourne and Sydney to explain why one city is saturated by Aussie Rules and the other Rugby League and Union. He then describes the main features of the Australian game, with Parts 2, 3 and 4 containing more detailed description of historical and statistical developments from the 1870s to the 1990s. Some coverage of the game in South Australia and Western Australia is presented, but there is no coverage of football in Tasmania or the northern Australian states. The final chapter speculates about future trends and developments of the game. Contains one chapter of statistics, an index, endnotes and bibliography and several black and white pictures. Republished in 1996 with the title, The Winter Game: Over 100 Years of Australian Football. TH.
Pash, Jeff & Depasquale, Paul, The Pash Papers: Australian Rules Football in South Australia, 1950-1964, Pioneer Books: Oaklands Park, SA, 1999.
Perry, Roland, The Changi Brownlow, Hachette Australia: Sydney, 2010.
After Singapore falls to the Japanese early in 1942, 70 000 prisoners including 15 000 Australians, were held as POWs at the notorious Changi prison, Singapore. To amuse themselves and fellow inmates, a group of sportsmen led by the indefatigable and popular Chicken Smallhorn, created an Australian Football League, complete with tribunal, selection panel, umpires and coaches. The final game of the one and only season was between Victoria and the Rest of Australia, which attracted 10 000 spectators, and a unique Brownlow Medal was awarded in this unlikely setting under the curious gaze of Japanese prison guards. Meet the main characters behind this spectacle: Peter Chitty, the farm hand from Snowy River country with unfathomable physical and mental fortitude, and one of eight in his immediate family who volunteer to fight and serve in WW2; Chicken Smallhorn, the Brownlow-medal winning little man with the huge heart; and Weary Dunlop, the courageous doctor, who cares for the POWs as they endure malnutrition, disease and often inhuman treatment. This is a story of courage and the invincibility of the human spirit, and highlights not only the Australian love of sport, but its power to offer consolation in times of extreme hardship. Publisher’s blurb.
Piesse, Ken, Great Australian Football Stories, Five Mile Press: Scoresby, Vic.
Sports journalist, commentator and prolific author Ken Piesse has put together an irresistible anthology of rarely published stories, anecdotes and magnificent photographs from the who's who of Australia's best sports writers, historians and photographers. Publisher’s blurb.
Piesse, Ken, More Than a Game, Harper Sports: Pymble, NSW, 1998.
Pinchin, R. K., Finals Fever - 1977: A Souvenir Record of the 1977 N.T.F.A. Finals, R.K. Pinchin: Longford, Tas., 1977.
Pinchin, R. K., Leeson, Allan, & Tasmanian Football League, A Century of Tasmanian Football, 1879-1979, Tasmanian Football League: Hobart, 1979.
Pippos, Angela, The Goddess Advantage, Text Publishing: Melbourne, 2006.
Porter, Ashley & South Australian Amateur Football League, We Are the Amateurs: A Century in the Making SAAFL, South Australian Amateur Football League Inc. and A. Porter: Torrensville, SA, 2010.
Poulter, Jim, Marn-Grook - Original Aussie Rules, J. Poulter: Melbourne, 2003.
Poulter, Jim, Marngrook: Our Original National Football Game, Red Hen Enterprises: Templestowe, Vic., 2009.
Quayle, Emma, The Draft: Inside the AFL's Search for Talent, Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest, NSW, 2008.
Every year in November, the AFL has a national draft, where the 16 clubs in the competition choose their next generation of stars - or so they hope. This is the behind-the-scenes story of 5 boys in their draft year. Publisher’s blurb.
Rickards, Elizabeth, The Heritage of Huon Football 1887-1989, E. Rickards: [Geeveston, Tas.], 1989.
Roberts, Michael & Winkler, Michael, High Flyers: The Greatest Marks of All Time, Penguin: Ringwood, Vic., 1998.
Similar to 100 Great Marks, by Palmer and Hobbs (1974), with the addition of great marks from 1977 to 1998. Includes an interesting chapter about the origin and development of the high mark. TH.
Ross, John, Bridges, Jim, & Harvey, Paul, Kicking Behinds: Cartoonists at the Footy, Penguin: Camberwell., Victoria, 2003.
This work contains about 300 cartoons, mostly published between 1980 and 2003, with around 20 images pre-dating this time. Most of the cartoons were first published in Melbourne newspapers, with a small number from other states and rural areas. Captions provide enough explanation to appreciate the context and character of each cartoon and the work is divided into themes such as umpires, fans, coaches, star players, scandals and the tribunal. The authors have provided a very brief introduction to each section and short biographical profiles of the 36 cartoonists represented in this collection. Landscape format. TH.
Sandercock, Leonie & Turner, Ian, Up Where, Cazaly?: The Great Australian Game, A Paladin Book, Granada: London; Sydney, 1982.
This pioneering work was the first serious attempt to explore the social and economic history of Australian Rules football, with almost exclusive focus on Victoria. The first part of the book documents the origins of the game and the transformation from amateur to semi-professional status. This study asks and attempts to answer many social, political and psychological questions about the place of football in Australian society. Several sociological issues and the development of the football industry are examined, covering such topics as the media, sponsorship, marketing, club finances and player payments and conditions. The authors conclude by examining the role of barrackers and women in football. First published in 1981, with both editions containing an index, bibliography and endnotes. TH.
Sayer, Max, Whimpress, Bernard, & Australian Society for Sports History (SA), Champions of Australia: A History of Australian Rules Football Competition between the Teams from the Various State Leagues, Australian Society for Sports History (SA): Kent Town, SA, 2003.
Sexton, Michael, 1964 A Game, A Season, A State, M. Sexton: Colonel Light Gardens, SA, 2011.
Sharland, W. S., The Sporting Globe Football Book, Herald and Weekly Times: Melbourne, 1929.
An early yearbook including star player profiles, a select history of the game, feature articles, fixtures, ground guides and statistical records. Includes an interesting account of a match played by Australian and New Zealand soldiers in London on 28 October 1916, a piece on the art of umpiring by famed umpire Jack McMurray and tips on how to play your position by star footballers of the period, of interest to those researching changes in the style of play over time. Also published in 1930. TH.
Shaw, Ian W., The Bloodbath: The 1945 VFL Grand Final, Scribe: Melbourne, 2006.
Shaw, Robert Bruce, Heart & Soul: A Tribute to the Game and it’s People, Bas Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., 2004.
Sheahan, Mike, Backpage, Great Headlines of Australian Football, Lester-Townsend Publishing: Paddington, NSW, 1990.
Slattery, Geoff, The Life Cycle of an AFL Player, Australian Football Quarterly, Geoff Slattery Publishing: Docklands, Vic., 2005.
Slattery, Geoff & Australian Football League, The Australian Game of Football: Since 1858, Geoff Slattery Publishing for the Australian Football League: Docklands, Vic., 2008.
Slattery, Geoff & Ward, Janelle, The Challenge, Australian Football: A Quarterly Journal of Essays, Ideas, Commentary & Illustration, Geoff Slattery Publishing: Docklands, Vic., 2004.
South Australian National Football League, Football in South Australia, 1907-1972, S.A.N.F.L.: [Adelaide], 1972.
South Australian National Football League, League Football in South Australia, South Australian National Football League: Adelaide, SA, 1978.
Squires, Tony, Cracking the Footy Codes, A.K.A. Publishing: Sydney, NSW, 2009.
Stallard, Neil, "A" Grade Premiership Table: 1912 - 1986, N. Stallard: Adelaide, 2005.
Stewart, Bob & Hess, Rob, More Than a Game: An Unauthorised History of Australian Rules Football, Melbourne University Press: Carlton South, Vic., 1998.
Stewart, Bob, Hess, Rob, & Nicholson, Matthew, Football Fever: Grassroots, Maribyrnong Press: Hawthorn, Vic., 2004.
A collection of nine scholarly papers presented at a conference held in July 2003. Topics include the psyche of arenas and fans, Chinese and women footballers, work- place football, corporate developments, the legal and regulatory issues, club management and organisational culture and the AFL's campaign to expand into NSW and Queensland. All papers have endnotes. TH.
Stoward, John, Cat Country: History of Football in the Geelong Region: Geelong Football League, Bellarine Football League, Geelong & District Football League, Colac & District Football Netball League, History of Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John, History of Football in Melbourne's North West: Essendon Football League, Western Region Football League, History of Australian Rules Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John, History of Football in the Ballarat District: Ballarat Football League, Central Highlands Football League, Lexton Plains Football Netball League, History of Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John, History of Football in the Bendigo District: Bendigo Football League, Maryborough Castlemaine Football Netball League, Heathcote District Football League, Riddell District Football League, History of Australian Rules Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John, History of Football in the Western District: Hampden Football Netball League, Western Border Football League, Mininera & District Football League, Warrnambool & District Football Netball League, South West District Football Netball League, History of Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John & Riddell District Football League, 100 Years of Football in the Riddell District, 1872-1972, Riddell District Football League: Melbourne, 1972.
Talking Football with the Stars, Argus and Australasian: Melbourne, 1955
Unitt, R. K. & Traralgon and District Junior Football League, Traralgon and District Junior Football League Silver Jubilee: 25 Years of Junior Football, Traralgon and District Junior Football League: Traralgon, Vic., 1979.
VFL/AFL Teams of the Century: The Definitive Guide to the Legends of Australian Rules Football, 2008 ed., Julio Estorninho: [S.l.], 2008.
VFL Premiers: Full History of the Finals, The Argus: Melbourne, 1954.
Victoria, Parliament, Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee, Inquiry into Country Football: Final Report, Rural and Regional Services Development Committee: Melbourne, 2004.
This Parliamentary inquiry assesses the strength and long term viability of country football clubs and leagues throughout Victoria and focuses on issues including the role of football in building community identity, relationships with netball and cricket competitions and the effect of population and social changes. Economic and financial issues affecting country football were also examined. A series of 34 recommendations are listed to enhance support for football in Victoria. TH.
Victorian Football League, Finals Battle '81, Herald and Weekly Times: Melbourne, 1981.
Victorian Football League. Media Department., Australian Football: A Fundamental Guide to the Game, Media Department of the Victorian Football League: [Victoria].
Wade, Doug, Doug Wade's Match of the Day, 1982, Newspress: Melbourne, 1982.
Walker, Clinton, A Football Life, Pan: Sydney, 1998.
Walker records his life-time involvement with football, beginning with his father's football career in the VFA, VAFA and finally as country footballer in the Bendigo area during the 1950s. Walker's own career as a talented player with prominent junior club, Sherwood, in Brisbane during the early 1970s is also described. Through interviews with former players, officials and fans of elite and grassroots footy, Walker depicts the challenges, problems and successes of various clubs, alongside an account of the emotional effect of football involvement for fans and players. Detailed analyses of Sherwood, (QAFL), Eaglehawk (Bendigo Football League) and Colbinabbin (Heathcote District Football League) are especially interesting. The theme of the transformation of grassroots football's role as a community-binding agent, to one of purely a player feeder system for elite level football, is laced throughout this interesting narrative. TH.
Ward, Peter & Mathews, Bruce, Footy, Pitman Publishing: Carlton, Vic., 1978.
Warner, Dave, Footy's Hall of Shame, Fremantle Arts Centre Press: South Fremantle, WA, 1996.
An entertaining and informative compendium of football’s embarrassing, shameful and quirky moments, focusing on individual personalities, teams and eras. Includes discussions of player mistakes, ‘finals flops and fade outs’, bloopers by umpires, league officials and the media, a section on ‘doom recruits’ and a dishonour board of the least successful clubs. Contains several black and white photographs, cartoons by Steve Panozzo and a bibliography. TH.
West Australian Football History, 1885-1971, Printed by Pilpel & Co.: Perth, WA, 1971.
West Australian Football League., Red Rooster Football Carnival 1982, West Australian Football League: Perth, WA, 1982.
Whimpress, Bernard & South Australian National Football League, The South Australian Football Story, South Australian National Football League: West Lakes, SA, 1983.
Wickham, Gary & Local Consumption (Firm), The Politics of V.F.L. Football, Occasional Paper / Local Consumption, Local Consumption Publications: Sydney, 1984.
Wilks, Miles, Australian Football Clubs of New South Wales: and their contribution to the AFL, Bas Publishing: Seaford, Vic., 2011.
Williams, Fos & Sexton, Michael, Fos Williams on Football 1959-1965, M. Sexton: Adelaide, SA, 2007.
Williams, Laurie, Gone but Not Forgotten, L. Williams: [Gippsland, Vic.], 1987-1988.
Three volumes published in 1987, 1988 and 1989.
Williams, Laurie, Greenwood, Cliff, & Mid Gippsland Football League, From the Ashes: A History of the Mid Gippsland Football League 1935-1985, Mid Gippsland Football League: [Morwell, Vic.], 1985.
This is a descriptive and comprehensive, albeit brief, history of the foundation of the league, followed by longer histories of member clubs. LF.
Williamson, J. & Bucknell, Mar, Football's Forgotten Tour: The Story of the British Australian Rules Venture of 1888, J. Williamson: Applecross, WA, 2003.
A fascinating account of the British Rugby team's tour of Australia in 1888, which involved nineteen matches of Australian Rules football against local sides in Victoria and South Australia, as well as several Rugby matches in NSW and New Zealand. A detailed record of all the Australian Rules matches is presented from newspaper reports and other sources of the period. It concludes with an account of the failed attempt to take an Australian Rules football team to Britain in 1888 and an investigation of claims of Australian football being played in Scotland prior to 1914. Extensive photographic and genealogical sources are included, alongside several black and white and colour pictures, an index, endnotes and bibliography. TH.
Wilson, Tony, AFL Footy Fan's Handbook, Scholastic Australia: Gosford, NSW, 2006.
Wilson, Tony & Hatcher, Don, AFL Footy Fan's Handbook, Omnibus Books: Malvern, SA, 2005.
Wood, John, SA Greats: The History of the Magarey Medal, J. and W. Wood: Plympton, SA, 1988.
Wood, John & Adelaide City Mission, The Great Grand Finals: Adelaide City Mission Football Budget: The Official Publication of the Great Grand Finals, Adelaide 28th April, 1992, Adelaide City Mission: [Adelaide], 1992.
Wood, John & South Australian National Football League, Magarey Medallist Grove: Researched Information for the Plaques for the S.A.N.F.L, 1987.
Woodgate, Grant, Australian Football Heritage (Victorian), 1856-1985, Valprint: Mildura, Vic., 1985.
This section includes general histories of Australian Rules football and any works with a variety of elements which do not allow them to be fitted into a more specific category. Many earlier books contain elements such as history, coaching tips, biographies, statistics, laws of the game, descriptions of the game's features and topical articles about football issues. Books with a variety of these elements have been listed in this section.
Club histories for major and minor leagues are listed separately. Histories of various leagues or football in particular regions encompassing a number of leagues are included in this section.
Adamson, David & Australian Football League, Portrait of a Season: The Newsmakers, Heroes, Results and Issues of Season 2001, AFL: [Melbourne], 2001.
AFL Premiers 2011, Slattery Media Group: Docklands, Vic., 2011.
Allsopp, Ray & Baker, Astri, The Name of the Game Is -- Australian Football, Aussie Sport Books, Aussie Sports Books: Surry Hills, NSW, 1991.
Anderton, Buck, Football: The Country Way, J. Stoward: Hobart, 1999.
Anderton, Buck, Football: The People's Game, B. Anderton: Triabunna [Tas.], 2004.
Anderton, Buck, More on Football, Central Coast Courier: Orford, Tas., 2002.
Atkinson, Graeme & Atkinson, Brant, The Complete Book of AFL Finals, 2009 edition ; Fully revised & updated. edn., Five Mile Press: Scoresby, Vic., 2009.
This has become the standard reference work for the history of VFL/AFL finals, with summaries of each finals series and statistics. First published as The Courage Book of VFL Finals, 1897-1972, Melbourne:
Courage Breweries, 1973. TH.
Aussie Rules Top 40, 1976-1985: Tributes to 40 All-Time Champions, from Hudson to Ablett - the Biggest Names of the Last 10 Years, Federal Publishing Company: Melbourne, 1986.
Australasian Football Council, Official Programme: Jubilee of Australasian Football, Melbourne, August, 1908, Australasian Football Council: Melbourne, 1908.
Australia, Parliament Senate, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee. & Nash, Fiona, Matters Relating to the Establishment of an Australian Football League Team for Tasmania: Report, Senate Committee Report / Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee, Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee: [Canberra], 2009.
Australian Football, Murray's Sports Series, Rev. Ed., Murray: Ultimo, NSW, 1979.
Australian Football in Canberra: 1911-1973, s.n.: Canberra, ACT, 1973.
Australian Football League, 100 Years of Australian Football, Viking: Ringwood, Vic., Australia; New York, N.Y., 1996.
Now, with the Centenary of the Australian Football League, comes the big book to capture every football fan, 100 years of Australian football. It is the complete story of our game, combining lively reporting of each season's stories, pictures of the great moments and stirring accounts of football's legends. ...This history of the AFL starts with its pre-season - the early history from 1858 - before beginning its colourful year-by-year coverage. Publisher’s blurb.
Australian Football League, The AFL and Indigenous Australia, Australian Football League: [Melbourne], 2004.
Ballarat Football League., "100 Years On": Centenary, Ballarat Football League, 1893-1993, Ballarat Football League: Ballarat, Vic., 1993.
Barassi, Ron & Gregory, Richard E., Australian Football Stories, Methuen Australia: Sydney, 1981.
Barker, Anthony J., East, Alan, West Australian Football Commission, & West Australian Football League, Behind the Play: A History of Football in Western Australia from 1868, West Australian Football Commission: Perth , WA, 2004.
A comprehensive history of football in Western Australia. TH.
Bartholomeusz, Gary, Great Southern Football League: 10 Years On, J.& G. Bartholomeusz: Kendenup, WA, 2000.
Batchelder, Alf, Pavilions in the Park: A History of the Melbourne Cricket Club and its Ground, Australian Scholarly Publishing: Melbourne, 2005.
Batchelder, Alf, Playing the Greater Game: The Melbourne Cricket Club and Its Ground in World War I, MP Publications: Brighton, Vic., 1998.
Bendigo Football League Inc., Bendigo Football League Inc. Proudly Presents Hall of Fame: In Commemoration of the Bendigo Football League's 125th Anniversary; Persian Room, Friday, 19th September, 1986, the League: Bendigo, 1986.
This publication provides a fine introduction to the history of one of Victorian country football's strongest leagues. It contains brief, but well-written profiles of the people elected to the Bendigo Football League Hall of Fame, preceded by descriptive but useful accounts of the history of the league and its clubs. A new edition would be welcome. LF.
Blainey, Geoffrey, A Game of Our Own: The Origins of Australian Football, Information Australia: Melbourne, 1990.
An important work by one of Australia's most distinguished historians, Blainey argues convincingly that Australian Rules football developed independently before the similar Irish game of football, with origins similar to early forms of football in England. Blainey traces the evolution and development of the game in detail and looks at the possible influence of 'Marn Grook', an Aboriginal form of football. Apart from the central question of origins, Blainey also examines the early development of football in Victoria and other states, especially South Australia, until the 1880s. This volume is enhanced by a superb selection of early photographs and illustrations and an appendix which includes a selection of the earliest rules of Australian football, including the Gaelic rules of 1889. Contains an index, endnotes and annotated list of sources. Later editions were published in 2003 and 2010. TH.
Bloch, Fred & South Australian Amateur Football League, A History of the South Australian Amateur Football League 1911-1994, SA Amateur Football League: North Adelaide, 1995.
Blow, Reg & Poulter, Jim, Readings in Indigenous Cultural Heritage, Red Hen: Templestowe, Vic., 2009.
These four readings in indigenous cultural heritage are literally a lifetime's accumulation by the authors. Because of the cumulative effects of dispossession, dispersal and cultural repression over the past two hundred years, much cultural knowledge was lost. That which has survived has often been fragmentary, from various sources.Publisher’s blurb.
Bond, Fred R. & Grossman, Don, Evergreen Hampden: History of the Hampden Football League - Its People and Their Progress, PAP Book Co.: Warrnambool, Vic., 1979.
Breckon, Richard & Australia Post, Play On: 150 Years of Australian Football, Australia Post: [Melbourne], 2008.
Browne, Ashley & Slattery, Geoff, Grand Finals: The Stories Behind the Premier Teams of the Victorian Football League. Volume 1, 1897-1938, Slattery Media Group: Docklands, Vic., 2011.
There is no greater prize in Australian team sport than the VFL/AFL premiership flag. This book, the first in an illustrated three-volume series, details the players, the officials, the matches and the other key events that shaped the premiership team every year. Publisher’s blurb.
Buggy, Hugh, Let's Look at Football, Argus: Melbourne, 1952.
Buggy, Hugh, Taylor, Percy, & Banfield, Peter, Football Headlines: Great Men and Great Moments of the Australian Game, Argus and Australasian Ltd.: Melbourne, 1955.
Bunton, H., McHale, J. F., & Pratt, R., Our Australian Game of Football, C.G. Hartley & Co.: Melbourne, 1936.
Promoted as a 'treatise on the Australian game of football', this book covers numerous aspects of football, with illustrated and instructional sections on the art, skills, psychology and tactics of the game, as well as fitness and training methods. An extensive chapter about 'systems and tactics' is of particular interest to students of the tactical evolution of the game. An article by VFL umpire Bob Scott provides an insight into the interpretation of the rules and the desired qualities for umpiring. Included are articles on ‘The Football Industry’, examining the manufacture of footballs, school football and football administration and several pictures and profiles of star players of the time from all states, including NSW and Queensland. First published as McHale, J. F., Taylor, E. C. H. and Chadwick, A. E., The Australian Game of Football, Hartley: Melbourne, 1931. TH.
Burke, Graham, Football: Heroes of the Hill: Those Wild Old Westies, Graham Burke: St Kilda West, Vic., 1999.
Burke, Graham, Graham "Bushy" Burke's Football: Heroes of the Hill, Heroes of the Hill: St Kilda West, Vic., 1999.
Bye, Peter & Speedie Electrical Industries., The Speedie Guide to Football, 1968 edn., Speedie Electrical Industries: [Melbourne], 1968.
Editions also published in 1963 and 1966.
Carroll, Ray, From the Boundary: Football at Assumption, [R.W. Carroll]: [Kilmore, Vic.], 1979.
Carroll, Ray, Hat Trick: Football and Cricket at Assumption 1978-1980, R. Carroll: Kilmore, Vic., 1980.
Carroll, Ray, When Winter Comes 1893, Central Highlands Newspapers: Kilmore [Vic.], 1990.
Carter, Peter & ACT-Monaro Amateur Football League, Twenty Five Years of Amateur Football, 1970-1995, ACT-Monaro Amateur Football League: [Canberra], 1997.
Caruso, Santo, Main, Jim, & Fiddian, Marc, Football Grounds of Melbourne, Pennon Publishing: Essendon North [Vic.], 2002.
Caruso has compiled 42 concise histories of major football grounds in the greater Melbourne and Geelong area, with numerous historical and contemporary photographs of the grounds and their facilities. Caruso also provides descriptions of each ground's character and major features and has produced a timely publication with the demise of many grounds as venues for top level football. Contains several black and white pictures and is produced in folio format. TH.
Cheffers, John & Narleski, Greg, The Story of Usfooty, Lexington Press: Lexington, Mass., 2003.
Christian, Geoff, Lee, Jack, & Messenger, Bob, The Footballers, from 1885 to the West Coast Eagles, Rev. edn., St. George Books: Perth, WA, 1988.
Earlier edition published in 1985.
Clarke, Brian, Aussie Rules the World: A History of International Football, s.n.: S.l., 2002.
Daffey, Paul, Local Rites: A Year in Grass Roots Football in Victoria and Beyond, Black Duck Publications: Flemington, Vic., 2001.
A collection of 26 pieces exploring country and suburban football during the 2000 season. Daffey observes, chronicles and analyses the people, places and issues of grass roots football with great perception and empathy. The focus is on Victoria, with excursions to Southern NSW and King Island. Daffey provides descriptions of matches attended, the clubs involved, the characters and the communities that sustain them. Three pieces are included examining the infamous Hepburn versus Dunnstown brawl in the Central Highlands Football League and the aftermath of this well-publicised feud. The text is accompanied by high quality photographs by Ian Kenins and includes a season review of suburban and country leagues for 2000. An index of names and bibliography is also included. TH.
Daffey, Paul & Kenins, Ian, Beyond the Big Sticks: Country Football around Australia, Lothian Books: South Melbourne, Vic., 2003.
Daily News (Perth WA), Fanfare: Daily News Football Book, 1948, Daily News: [Perth, WA], 1948.
Darwin Football Association (Tas.), Darwin Footballl Association: Fifty Seasons of Football, 1951-2000: Jubilee Record, Jubilee Committee: Burnie, Tas., 2000.
De Pierres, Paul, "Kick Long!": The History of Football in Wyalkatchem District 1914-1994, P. de Pierres: [Wyalkatchem, WA], 1995.
Deller, Bill & Australian Football League Umpires Association, The Man in White: 100 Years of Umpiring with the VFL and the AFL: The Official History of the AFL Umpires' Association, JoJo Publishing: Docklands, Vic., 2009.
East, Alan, The Sandover Medal Men: A History of Western Australia's Most Prestigious Football Award, A. East: Perth, WA, 2006.
Everett, Les & Goldfields Football League, Gravel Rash: 100 Years of Goldfields Football, Goldfields Football League: Fremantle, WA, 1996.
A rich lode of information, with interesting and informative accounts of clubs and careers in the West Australian goldfields, some excellent photos and an index. LF.
Feldmann, Jules & Victorian Football League, Waverley, a Permanent Home at Last for Australia's National Game, Produced by Alfred Heintz for the Victorian Football League: [Melbourne], 1964.
Fiddian, Marc, Boilovers, Thrillers and Grand Eras: In League and Association Football, Pakenham Gazette: Pakenham [Vic.], 1994.
This work contains brief histories of the great upsets, close matches and periods of dominance by League and Association teams in Victoria. Contains a detailed analysis of wins and losses by teams for each decade and includes a name index, bibliography and several black and white photographs. TH.
Fiddian, Marc, Goals, Goals, Goals: A Study of League and Association Full-Forwards, South East Independent: Pakenham, Vic., 1996.
Fiddian, Marc, The Pioneers: 100 Years of Association Football, Victorian Football Assoc.: Jolimont, Vic., 1977.
Fiddian, Marc, The VFA: A History of the Victorian Football Association (1877-1995), the Author: Melbourne, 2004.
This is more substantial than Fiddian's earlier history of the VFA, The Pioneers: 100 Years of Association Football. As with nearly all of Fiddian’s works there is no index or bibliography. LF.
Fiddian, Marc & Victorian Football Association, The Roar of the Crowd: A History of VFA Grand Finals, Victorian Football Association: Jolimont, Vic., 1987.
Fascinating accounts of VFA Grand Finals, with match details and team placings. A new edition would be welcome. TH.
Flagg, George & Taylor, Roy, Australian Football Along the Line: Concerning the Development of Australian Football 1890-1990, Barellan League, Ariah Park, Tara & Ardlethan Associations, G. Flagg: Moombooldool, NSW, 1992.
Flanagan, Martin, 1970 & Other Stories of the Australian Game, Allen & Unwin: St Leonards, NSW, 1999.
An acclaimed sports writer, Flanagan explores one of football's greatest matches, the 1970 VFL Grand Final. Flanagan examines some of the folklore associated with this match, especially the notion it marked the birth of 'handball' or 'play on football'. This is done by way of interviews with most of the participants in the match. Flanagan also examines the impact of the match on their lives. The rest of the book contains a selection of Flanagan's football articles, most of which were first published in the Melbourne Age newspaper and which include portraits of fans, players, clubs and memories of football from the author’s childhood. TH.
Flanagan, Martin, The Game in Time of War, Pan Macmillan: Sydney, 2003.
Flanagan, Martin, The Last Quarter: A Trilogy, One Day Hill: Camberwell East, Vic., 2008.
Martin Flanagan has been writing Australian football for 25 years. The Last Quarter brings together three of his books that sum up that period. Publisher’s blurb. 2nd edition published in 2009.
Flinders Football League, Flinders Football League: Jubilee Souvenir 1912-1961.
Football '70: The Royal Year, Herald-Sun Privilege Book: Melbourne, 1970.
A pictorial publication covering the Richmond versus Fitzroy match played in the first round of 1970, with Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Anne in attendance. Contains articles on various aspects of the game, including the recently opened VFL Park at Waverley and a brief preview of the forthcoming football season. One 'how to play' article is included with instructional black and white and colour pictures throughout. TH.
Gascoyne, John, 40 Mortlocks: A History of the Mortlock Shield, 1938-1988, John Gascoyne: [Ceduna, SA], 1989.
Football Today: Herald-Sun Privilege Book, 1961, Herald-Sun: Melbourne, 1961.
A pictorial publication with both black and white and colour pictures, this work contains articles by football identities of the period on a range of topics, with features on 'Fans' and a pictorial feature on 'Women's Football', along with sections on football skills and techniques. The main emphasis is on the VFL, with one item on the VFA. TH.
Football's Fabulous Century, Carlton, Sydney, Brisbane, St. Kilda, Collector Series, Sunday Times: [Perth, WA], 2000.
Footy and the Clubs That Make It: Glenelg, North, Norwood, Port, South, Sturt, Torrens, West: The Story of the Eight Clubs That Form the South Australian National Football League, Commercial Printing House: Adelaide, 1958.
Footy and the Clubs That Make It: The Full Story of the Twelve Clubs of the Victorian Football League, Argus: [Melbourne], 1954.
Gascoyne, John, Far West Football League: 1906-1986, J. Gascoyne: [Ceduna, SA], 1986.
Gascoyne, John, Le Hunte Football League, 1918-1982, J. Gascoyne: Minnipa, SA, 1983.
Gascoyne, John, The Mail Medal: 1933-1940, 1949-1996, John Gascoyne: Thevenard, SA, 1996.
Gascoyne, John, The Mail Medal, 1933-2006, Rev. Ed., J. Gascoyne: Thevenard, SA, 2007.
The Sunday Mail newspaper presents the best and fairest footballer in each country league in South Australia with a medal. This book has all the medalists, runners up and thirds, with votes. Contains 600 photographs and comprehensive statistics.
Gascoyne, John, A Touch of Magic: A History of Aboriginal Football on Eyre Peninsula 1906-2005, Openbook Australia: Thevenard, SA, 2006.
Gilchrist, James, Wednesday Warriors: Doing It for the Jumper, the St Pat's Ballarat Tradition, Connor Court Publishing: Ballan, Vic.
Great Flinders Football League, Great Flinders Football League: Centenary 1911-2011, Great Flinders Football League Committee: Cummins, SA., 2011.
Includes many team portraits, lists of players and award-winners, competition results and very brief information about the Great Flinders Netball Association.
Greenwood, Cliff & Mid Gippsland Football League, Mid Gippsland Football League Full Results, 1935-92: Seniors, Reserves, Thirds, Fourths, The League: Gippsland, Vic., 1993.
Gunton, Eric, Football Flashback, [2nd Ed., s.n.]: [Adelaide, 1960.
Gunton, Eric, Football Flashbacks 1954, Dawn Publications: Adelaide, 1954.
Handley, George, The Great Grand Finals, Walshe Publishing: Geelong, Vic., 1989.
Harris, Greg, Gregory's Australian Football, Sports Series, Gregory's: Macquarie Park, NSW, 1985.
Harrison, H. C. A., Australasian Football Council, & South Australian Football League, Souvenir of Australian Football Carnival, Adelaide, August 2nd to 14th, 1911 under the Patronage of the Australasian Football Council & the South Australian League, The Council: [Adelaide], 1911.
Published by the Australasian Football Council in 1911 as a souvenir program for football fans and contains many fascinating snippets which provide an insight into the place of football in the community at that time. Includes special articles by H. C. A. Harrison Esq. 'founder of the game', on the history and future of the game in the Empire, historic clubs and famous players. This work is especially interesting for the large number of lavishly illustrated advertisements promoting football products. TH.
Herald, Sun & Gary, Oxley, Football's Fabulous Century, Herald Sun: Melbourne, 1999.
Two copies of a series featuring all AFL clubs with historic photographs and information. The copies relate to North Melbourne and Melbourne Football Clubs.
Hess, Rob, A National Game: The History of Australian Rules Football, Penguin: Camberwell, Vic., 2008.
Tells the complete story of the evolution of Australian Rules football. In this definitive history, the authors look at the origins of the game, how it spread beyond Melbourne, the development of the modern game and the flowering of the sport at a national and international level.
Hess, Rob & Australian Society for Sports History., Making Histories, Making Memories: The Construction of Australian Sporting Identities, ASSH Studies, Australian Society for Sports History: Melbourne, Vic., 2006.
Hess, Rob & Stewart, Bob, More Than a Game: an Unauthorized History of Australian Rules Football, Melbourne University Press: Carlton, Vic., 1998.
This important work traces the growth of Australian Football from 1858 through to the development of the national league. The eight chapters are presented in chronological order, with several consistent themes emphasised throughout, including the early development of the game, the formation of the VFA, the VFA/VFL split, football during the war years, creeping professionalism, the impact of press, radio and television coverage, player recruitment, venues and change, club and league structures and the development of a national league. Contributors focus on football at the elite level, with the emphasis on Victoria and occasional references to developments in other states. This scholarly and substantial work builds upon earlier studies by Sandercock and Turner (1981) and Pascoe (1995). Contains several black and white photographs and cartoons and includes an index, endnotes and bibliography. TH.
Hibbins, G. M., The Cambridge Connection: The Origin of Australian Rules Football, F. Cass: London, 1989.
Hibbins, G. M., Sport and Racing in Colonial Melbourne: The Cousins and Me: Colden Harrison, Tom Wills and William Hammersley, Lynedoch Publications: Melbourne, 2007.
Hibbins, G. M., Ruddell, Trevor, & Melbourne Cricket Club. Library., "A Code of Our Own": Celebrating 150 Years of the Rules of Australian Football, Melbourne Cricket Club Library: Jolimont [Vic.], 2009.
Hillier, Kevin, History of the WRFL/FDFL, Common Ground: Altona, Vic., 2007.
Hillman, Robert, Aussie Rules Football, Great Aussie Sports, Echidna Books: Carlton, Vic., 2003.
This series provides an overview of the sport, with emphasis on the history of the sport in Australia. Students are encouraged to get involved, with infomration on how to go about training and accessing sporting groups. Legendary players are profiled along with information on the rules and scoring.
Hills Football Association, A Resource History, Hills Football Association 1946-1986, The Association: [Mundaring, WA], 1986.
Holmesby, Russell & Main, Jim, This Football Century, Wilkinson: Melbourne, 1996.
Hopkins, Ted, The Stats Revolution: The Life, Loves and Passion of Football's Futurist, Slattery Media Group: Docklands, Vic., 2011.
Ted Hopkins achieved the ultimate in Australian Football when he played a starring role in Carlton.s 1970 premiership. His impact on the game in retirement has been revolutionary thanks to his driving role in the creation and growth of match and team statistics and information data for the AFL industry. Publisher’s blurb.
Hunt, Paula, Shirt Front: A Short and Amazing History of Aussie Rules, Black Dog Books: Fitzroy, Vic., 2005.
A lightweight work suitable for fans seeking an introduction to some of the game's history, personalities, incidents, stories and memorable moments. Hunt uses a chronological approach with timelines of major events to introduce each chapter. Includes a name index and bibliography. TH.
Hunt, Rex & Bond, Graeme, The Fat Lady Sings: 40 Years in Footy, News Custom Publishing: Southbank, Vic., 2005.
Hutchinson, Garrie, Great Australian Football Stories, Viking O'Neil: Ringwood, Vic., 1989.
An extensive collection of writing on football in Melbourne, sourced mainly from the pages of newspapers and magazines. Along with the many match reports, player portraits and more general articles about the state of football, there are pieces examining the character of 'barrackers' and spectator culture in general. Includes stories and poetry, as well as newspaper reports, covering a time span from 1858 through to the early 1980s, arranged in chronological, decadal order. The primary emphasis is on the VFL. First published as Hutchinson, Garrie, The Great Australian Book of Football Stories, Currey O'Neil: South Yarra, Vic, 1983. TH.
Hyde, Don & Main, Jim, Beyond the Call: Great Commentators of Australian Football, Hardie Grant Books: Prahran, Vic., 2005.
Jaggard, Edwin, Ryan, Jan, & University of Western Australia. Centre for Western Australian History, Perspectives on Sport and Society, Studies in Western Australian History,, Centre for Western Australian History, Dept. of History, University of Western Australia: Nedlands, WA, 1997.
Johnson, Joseph, For the Love of the Game, the Centenary History of the Victorian Amateur Football Association, 1892-1992, Hyland House: South Yarra, Vic., 1992.
A scholarly, analytical history with excellent photos and contains an index. TH.
Judd, Barry, On the Boundary Line: Colonial Identity in Football, Studies in Indigenous History and Culture, Australian Scholarly Publishing: North Melbourne, Vic., 2008.
Since the establishment of the AFL in 1990, Australian football has increasingly represented itself as Australia's national game. This book utilises football to examine what it means to be anglo Australian or an Aboriginal Australian in 21st Australia. Publisher’s blurb.
Kazok, Jaruj, Australian Rules Football in Foreign Countries, Jaruj Kazok: [South Hedland, WA, 2008.
Kenins, Ian & Daffey, Paul, Beyond the Big Sticks: Country Football around Australia, Lothian Books: South Melbourne, Vic., 2003.
Knuckey, C. K., South Australian Football: The Past and the Present, Associated Publishers: Adelaide, 1960.
Koorda and Districts Agricultural Society., Local Football Club Histories: Celebrating Aussie Rules AFL Centenary 1897-1996, Koorda and Districts Agricultural Society: Koorda, WA, 1996.
This is the program for the Koorda Show 1996, the 56th Koorda and Districts Agricultural Society Inc Show. The theme of the show was 100 years of Aussie rules to celebrate the centenary of the AFT. Gives the names of the Australian Rules clubs in the Koorda district and a brief history of each club since the 1920s when the area was opened for farming. Includes clubs called: Booralaming, Cadoux, Ejanding, Gabbin, Koorda and Mollerin. The Show's special AFL guest was Ben T. Allen of the Fremantle Football Club. Lists the office bearers of the Society.
Lee, David, Barfoot, Michael, & Northern Territory Football League, NTFL (Northern Territory Football League): A History of Australian Football in Darwin and the Northern Territory from 1916 to 1995, Northern Territory Football League: [Darwin], 1995.
This is mainly a collection of statistics and records. There are a few short but interesting chapters on women's involvement in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL), commercial and media support, personalities, characters and families and the origins of football competition in Darwin. Two chapters record the NTFL players who have succeeded in other major leagues, or major league players who have played in the NTFL. A useful reference book with statistics and records of the various clubs of the NTFL and several black and white photographs. TH.
Linnell, Garry, Football Ltd: The inside Story of the AFL, Ironbark: Sydney, 1995.
A ground breaking book which looks at the transformation of the VFL from a prestigious suburban based competition into the richest and most powerful national sport in Australia. Linnell examines the game behind the game, the corporate power plays, league and club politics, commercialism and marketing and the ambitious, passionate personalities at the administrative level. The focus is on the 1980s, more detailed historical developments are outlined where necessary to provide context for various topics. Linnell composed this work after extensive research and interviews with many of the key figures of football in the 1970s and 1980s. TH.
Maddern, Peter, Australian Football: The Complete Guide, Young's Publishing House: Chicago, 1994.
Main, Jim, The Armchair Footy Record: For Planes, Trains and Favourite Rooms, Geoff Slattery Publishing: Docklands, Vic., 2005.
Main, Jim, Aussie Rules for Dummies, --for Dummies, Wiley Publishing Australia: Milton, Qld., 2003.
Main, Jim, Football's Black Book, Five Mile Press: Noble Park, Vic., 1998.
A history of VFL/AFL tribunal cases, with detailed description of thirty famous cases between 1898 and 1998. The statistics chapter lists every player reported, the charge(s), verdicts and sentences and includes a table of the League's most reported players. Contains several black and white pictures. TH.
Main, Jim, Hutton's Footy Book 1981, Market Place Marketing Group: Melbourne, 1981.
Main, Jim, More Than a Century of AFL Grand Finals, Pennon Publishing: Essendon North, Vic., 2001.
Main, Jim, When It Matters Most: The Norm Smith Medalist and Best on Ground in Every Grand Final, Bas Publishing: Melbourne, 2006.
Main, Jim & Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Great Southern Grandstand, ABC Books for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Sydney, 1995.
Main, Jim & Connolly, Rohan, More Than a Century of AFL Grand Finals, New Ed., Pennon Publishing: Essendon, Vic., 2005.
First published in 2001.
Main, Jim & Dunn, John, Australian Rules Football: An Illustrated History, Lansdowne: Melbourne, 1974.
An introductory history of the game which concentrates on Victoria, with shorter sections on South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. Each chapter briefly describes the origins of Australian football in those states and then traces major developments up to 1973. The emphasis is on great players, coaches, teams, clubs and famous matches, with some coverage of major off-field issues such as new grounds, emergence of new teams, rule changes, football during wartime and the advent of television coverage. The main emphasis is on the major leagues with some references to the VFA. The statistics section lists the premiers and top four finishers for all major football states. Sourced mainly from newspaper reports and Gavan Daws, 'The Origins of Australian Football', an Honours thesis completed at the Department of History, University of Melbourne, 1954. Contains many classic illustrations and photographs, but inadequate citation. TH.
Main, Jim & Greenwood, Geoff, Grand Finals: Victorian Australian Rules' Greatest Moments, Murray Sports Nostalgia Series, Murray: Sydney, 1978.
Marlow, Jesse & Murray, Neil, Centre Bounce: Football from Australia's Heart, Hardie Grant Books: South Yarra, Vic., 2003.
Football is a part of everyday life for almost every Aboriginal kid who grows up in the Northern Territory. In this powerful collection of black and white photography, Jesse Marlow captures the heart of the game up north, in places such as Alice Springs, Bathurst Island, Darwin and East Arnhem Land. With a foreword by prominent footballer Michael Long, an introduction by poet, journalist and author Martin Flanagan and personal reflections from songwriter, performer, poet and author Neil Murray, Centre Bounce offers an amazing glimpse into the life of football in the Northern Territory, and is a heartfelt collection of the characters that make up the game. Publisher's blurb.
Marsh, Naomi & Murray, Peter, The History of AFL: Australian Rules Football, Parragon Publishing: South Yarra, Vic., 2008.
Marshall, Barbara & A.C.T. Australian Football Junior League, Junior Australian Football in Canberra, 50 Years of Growing Up: A History of Junior Australian Rules During the Period 1931-1981, A.C.T. Australian Football Junior League: Canberra, 1981.
Marshall, Barbara & ACTAFL, The National Game in the National Capital: 60 Years of Achievement: A Pictorial History of Australian Football and the People Who Made it Great from 1923-1982, A.C.T.A.F.L.: [Canberra], 1983.
McDonald, Ian & Victorian Football League, Finals Action: VFL 1979 Season Official Souvenir, Victorian Football League: Melbourne, 1979.
McDonald, Ian & Victorian Football League, Finals Fever: VFL 1978 Season Official Souvenir, Victorian Football League: Melbourne,1978.
McDonald, Ian & Victorian Football League, VFL Final Series 1977, VFL Publication, Garry Sparke & Associates for the Victorian Football League: Melbourne, 1977.
McGill, Craig & Elliott, Susan, Footy Dogs: The Dogs of Australian Rules Football, Rozelle Giant Dog Publishing, 2005.
McGrath, Vincent, Bywaters, Malcolm, Bywaters, Malcom, Lindley, Margaret, & University of Tasmania. School of Visual and Performing Arts, White Line Fever: 5 July-6 August, University of Tasmania, School of Visual and Performing Arts: Launceston, Tas., 2004.
McHale, J. F., Taylor, E. C. H., & Chadwick, A. E., The Australian Game of Football, Hartley: Melbourne, 1931.
McKenzie, Alan G. & National Football League of Australia, 1975 Championship Series: VFL Park, Melbourne, Saturday June 14, Kenneth Heyes: Glen Iris, Vic., 1975.
McKenzie, Alan G. & Victorian Football League, League Football in Victoria, 2nd Rev. Ed., Victorian Football League: Jolimont, Vic, 1977.
McLaren, Harold, River Murray Football League, H.G. McLaren: Murray Bridge, SA, 2004.
McLaren, Robert, Playing Footy and Milking Cows: The Mt Noorat Football League, R. McLaren: [Leopold, Vic.], 2006.
McNamara, Dave, Football, Page & Bird: Melbourne, 1914.
McNicol, Adam, Marching On: 85 Years of Football in the Manangatang District, Adam McNicol: Parkville, Vic., 2000.
Michael, Ron, Great Goals: The Goulburn Valley Football League 1894-1994. Goulburn Valley Football League: Shepparton, Vic., 1994.
A brief text, supplemented with useful reproduced press cuttings. LF.
Mid Gippsland Football League, Mid Gippsland Fl Results, 1935 to 1987: Reserves, Thirds, Fourths, The League: [Gippsland, Vic.], 1987.
Mitchell, Charlie, The Charlie Mitchell Football Book: Incidents and Records of Australian Rules Football, Mt. Lawley Print: Mt. Lawley, WA, 1967.
Mullen, C. C., History of Australian Rules Football, 1858 to 1958, Horticultural Press: Melbourne, 1958.
This pioneering work is generally accepted as the first comprehensive history of Australian Rules football, although it lacks footnotes, a bibliography and an index. TH.
Murray, John, Our Great Game: The Photographic History of Australian Football, Slattery Media Group: Docklands, Vic., 2010.
This book will take you on a journey of the country's biggest sporting code, from its origins in 1858 right through to the present day, in more than 300 pages of stunning images. This glossy, coffee-table style publication brings together the most complete collection of images ever published on the game, some of which have not previously been seen by the sporting public. Publisher’s blurb.
Napper, Monica, Eve, Peter Anthony, McMillan, Andrew, & Moodie, David, Tiwi Footy: Yiloga, F11 Productions: Darwin, 2008.
Newby, H. D., A Profusely Illustrated Souvenir and Programme of the Australasian Football Jubilee Carnival, 1908: Special Articles, Printed and published by J. L. Anderson & Sons: Melbourne, 1908.
Nicholas Australia, The Fun of Football: A Special Community Service Booklet, Nicholas: Chadstone, Vic., 1969.
Norman, Alan & Coreen & District Football League, Coreen & District Football Leaque Finals History, 1894-1994, Coreen & District Football League: Corowa, NSW, 1995.
100 Years of Australian Football, 1897-1996, Penguin Books Australia: Ringwood, Vic., 1997.
Orive, Sasha & State Library of Victoria, Victorian Rules: Populi Ludos Populo - the Game of the People for the People, State Library of Victoria: Melbourne, Vic., 1996.
A catalogue and article to accompany an exhibition of football material held in March and April 1996 using the collections of the State Library of Victoria. The article describes the early history of the game in Victoria and its evolution over a hundred years. Contains a bibliography and an electronic version accessible from the National Library of Australia archive, Pandora, at: http://www.statelibrary.Vicgov.au/slv/exhibitions/football/
Archived at Australian National Library for the State Library of Victoria at http://nla.gov.au/nla.arc-41738.
Ovens and Murray Football League: History Book 1893-1954, Ovens and Murray Football League: Wangaratta, Vic., 1954.
Oxley, Editor Gary, Our Game: 150 Years of Footy, Herald & Weekly Times: Southbank, Vic., 2008.
Oxley, Gary & Herald and Weekly Times, Football's Fabulous Century, Collector Series, Herald and Weekly Times: Melbourne, 1999.
Palmer, Scot & Hobbs, Greg, 100 Great Marks, Sun Books: South Melbourne, Vic., 1974.
A pictorial record of many famous marks, with revised editions published in 1974 and 1976. TH.
Parry, Seff, Football: The Australian Game, [S. Parry: Wembly, WA, 1948]
Parry, Seff & Western Australian National Football League, Football: The Australian Game, 2nd ed., Western Australian National Football League?: Perth, WA, 1958.
Pascoe, Rob, The Winter Game: The Complete History of Australian Football, The Text Pub. Co.: Port Melbourne, Vic., 1995.
A general history with a major emphasis on the origins and development of the game in Victoria. Pascoe examines the cultural, social and political differences between Melbourne and Sydney to explain why one city is saturated by Aussie Rules and the other Rugby League and Union. He then describes the main features of the Australian game, with Parts 2, 3 and 4 containing more detailed description of historical and statistical developments from the 1870s to the 1990s. Some coverage of the game in South Australia and Western Australia is presented, but there is no coverage of football in Tasmania or the northern Australian states. The final chapter speculates about future trends and developments of the game. Contains one chapter of statistics, an index, endnotes and bibliography and several black and white pictures. Republished in 1996 with the title, The Winter Game: Over 100 Years of Australian Football. TH.
Pash, Jeff & Depasquale, Paul, The Pash Papers: Australian Rules Football in South Australia, 1950-1964, Pioneer Books: Oaklands Park, SA, 1999.
Perry, Roland, The Changi Brownlow, Hachette Australia: Sydney, 2010.
After Singapore falls to the Japanese early in 1942, 70 000 prisoners including 15 000 Australians, were held as POWs at the notorious Changi prison, Singapore. To amuse themselves and fellow inmates, a group of sportsmen led by the indefatigable and popular Chicken Smallhorn, created an Australian Football League, complete with tribunal, selection panel, umpires and coaches. The final game of the one and only season was between Victoria and the Rest of Australia, which attracted 10 000 spectators, and a unique Brownlow Medal was awarded in this unlikely setting under the curious gaze of Japanese prison guards. Meet the main characters behind this spectacle: Peter Chitty, the farm hand from Snowy River country with unfathomable physical and mental fortitude, and one of eight in his immediate family who volunteer to fight and serve in WW2; Chicken Smallhorn, the Brownlow-medal winning little man with the huge heart; and Weary Dunlop, the courageous doctor, who cares for the POWs as they endure malnutrition, disease and often inhuman treatment. This is a story of courage and the invincibility of the human spirit, and highlights not only the Australian love of sport, but its power to offer consolation in times of extreme hardship. Publisher’s blurb.
Piesse, Ken, Great Australian Football Stories, Five Mile Press: Scoresby, Vic.
Sports journalist, commentator and prolific author Ken Piesse has put together an irresistible anthology of rarely published stories, anecdotes and magnificent photographs from the who's who of Australia's best sports writers, historians and photographers. Publisher’s blurb.
Piesse, Ken, More Than a Game, Harper Sports: Pymble, NSW, 1998.
Pinchin, R. K., Finals Fever - 1977: A Souvenir Record of the 1977 N.T.F.A. Finals, R.K. Pinchin: Longford, Tas., 1977.
Pinchin, R. K., Leeson, Allan, & Tasmanian Football League, A Century of Tasmanian Football, 1879-1979, Tasmanian Football League: Hobart, 1979.
Pippos, Angela, The Goddess Advantage, Text Publishing: Melbourne, 2006.
Porter, Ashley & South Australian Amateur Football League, We Are the Amateurs: A Century in the Making SAAFL, South Australian Amateur Football League Inc. and A. Porter: Torrensville, SA, 2010.
Poulter, Jim, Marn-Grook - Original Aussie Rules, J. Poulter: Melbourne, 2003.
Poulter, Jim, Marngrook: Our Original National Football Game, Red Hen Enterprises: Templestowe, Vic., 2009.
Quayle, Emma, The Draft: Inside the AFL's Search for Talent, Allen & Unwin: Crows Nest, NSW, 2008.
Every year in November, the AFL has a national draft, where the 16 clubs in the competition choose their next generation of stars - or so they hope. This is the behind-the-scenes story of 5 boys in their draft year. Publisher’s blurb.
Rickards, Elizabeth, The Heritage of Huon Football 1887-1989, E. Rickards: [Geeveston, Tas.], 1989.
Roberts, Michael & Winkler, Michael, High Flyers: The Greatest Marks of All Time, Penguin: Ringwood, Vic., 1998.
Similar to 100 Great Marks, by Palmer and Hobbs (1974), with the addition of great marks from 1977 to 1998. Includes an interesting chapter about the origin and development of the high mark. TH.
Ross, John, Bridges, Jim, & Harvey, Paul, Kicking Behinds: Cartoonists at the Footy, Penguin: Camberwell., Victoria, 2003.
This work contains about 300 cartoons, mostly published between 1980 and 2003, with around 20 images pre-dating this time. Most of the cartoons were first published in Melbourne newspapers, with a small number from other states and rural areas. Captions provide enough explanation to appreciate the context and character of each cartoon and the work is divided into themes such as umpires, fans, coaches, star players, scandals and the tribunal. The authors have provided a very brief introduction to each section and short biographical profiles of the 36 cartoonists represented in this collection. Landscape format. TH.
Sandercock, Leonie & Turner, Ian, Up Where, Cazaly?: The Great Australian Game, A Paladin Book, Granada: London; Sydney, 1982.
This pioneering work was the first serious attempt to explore the social and economic history of Australian Rules football, with almost exclusive focus on Victoria. The first part of the book documents the origins of the game and the transformation from amateur to semi-professional status. This study asks and attempts to answer many social, political and psychological questions about the place of football in Australian society. Several sociological issues and the development of the football industry are examined, covering such topics as the media, sponsorship, marketing, club finances and player payments and conditions. The authors conclude by examining the role of barrackers and women in football. First published in 1981, with both editions containing an index, bibliography and endnotes. TH.
Sayer, Max, Whimpress, Bernard, & Australian Society for Sports History (SA), Champions of Australia: A History of Australian Rules Football Competition between the Teams from the Various State Leagues, Australian Society for Sports History (SA): Kent Town, SA, 2003.
Sexton, Michael, 1964 A Game, A Season, A State, M. Sexton: Colonel Light Gardens, SA, 2011.
Sharland, W. S., The Sporting Globe Football Book, Herald and Weekly Times: Melbourne, 1929.
An early yearbook including star player profiles, a select history of the game, feature articles, fixtures, ground guides and statistical records. Includes an interesting account of a match played by Australian and New Zealand soldiers in London on 28 October 1916, a piece on the art of umpiring by famed umpire Jack McMurray and tips on how to play your position by star footballers of the period, of interest to those researching changes in the style of play over time. Also published in 1930. TH.
Shaw, Ian W., The Bloodbath: The 1945 VFL Grand Final, Scribe: Melbourne, 2006.
Shaw, Robert Bruce, Heart & Soul: A Tribute to the Game and it’s People, Bas Publishing: Melbourne, Vic., 2004.
Sheahan, Mike, Backpage, Great Headlines of Australian Football, Lester-Townsend Publishing: Paddington, NSW, 1990.
Slattery, Geoff, The Life Cycle of an AFL Player, Australian Football Quarterly, Geoff Slattery Publishing: Docklands, Vic., 2005.
Slattery, Geoff & Australian Football League, The Australian Game of Football: Since 1858, Geoff Slattery Publishing for the Australian Football League: Docklands, Vic., 2008.
Slattery, Geoff & Ward, Janelle, The Challenge, Australian Football: A Quarterly Journal of Essays, Ideas, Commentary & Illustration, Geoff Slattery Publishing: Docklands, Vic., 2004.
South Australian National Football League, Football in South Australia, 1907-1972, S.A.N.F.L.: [Adelaide], 1972.
South Australian National Football League, League Football in South Australia, South Australian National Football League: Adelaide, SA, 1978.
Squires, Tony, Cracking the Footy Codes, A.K.A. Publishing: Sydney, NSW, 2009.
Stallard, Neil, "A" Grade Premiership Table: 1912 - 1986, N. Stallard: Adelaide, 2005.
Stewart, Bob & Hess, Rob, More Than a Game: An Unauthorised History of Australian Rules Football, Melbourne University Press: Carlton South, Vic., 1998.
Stewart, Bob, Hess, Rob, & Nicholson, Matthew, Football Fever: Grassroots, Maribyrnong Press: Hawthorn, Vic., 2004.
A collection of nine scholarly papers presented at a conference held in July 2003. Topics include the psyche of arenas and fans, Chinese and women footballers, work- place football, corporate developments, the legal and regulatory issues, club management and organisational culture and the AFL's campaign to expand into NSW and Queensland. All papers have endnotes. TH.
Stoward, John, Cat Country: History of Football in the Geelong Region: Geelong Football League, Bellarine Football League, Geelong & District Football League, Colac & District Football Netball League, History of Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John, History of Football in Melbourne's North West: Essendon Football League, Western Region Football League, History of Australian Rules Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John, History of Football in the Ballarat District: Ballarat Football League, Central Highlands Football League, Lexton Plains Football Netball League, History of Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John, History of Football in the Bendigo District: Bendigo Football League, Maryborough Castlemaine Football Netball League, Heathcote District Football League, Riddell District Football League, History of Australian Rules Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John, History of Football in the Western District: Hampden Football Netball League, Western Border Football League, Mininera & District Football League, Warrnambool & District Football Netball League, South West District Football Netball League, History of Football, Aussie Footy Books: Drysdale, Vic., 2008.
Stoward, John & Riddell District Football League, 100 Years of Football in the Riddell District, 1872-1972, Riddell District Football League: Melbourne, 1972.
Talking Football with the Stars, Argus and Australasian: Melbourne, 1955
Unitt, R. K. & Traralgon and District Junior Football League, Traralgon and District Junior Football League Silver Jubilee: 25 Years of Junior Football, Traralgon and District Junior Football League: Traralgon, Vic., 1979.
VFL/AFL Teams of the Century: The Definitive Guide to the Legends of Australian Rules Football, 2008 ed., Julio Estorninho: [S.l.], 2008.
VFL Premiers: Full History of the Finals, The Argus: Melbourne, 1954.
Victoria, Parliament, Rural and Regional Services and Development Committee, Inquiry into Country Football: Final Report, Rural and Regional Services Development Committee: Melbourne, 2004.
This Parliamentary inquiry assesses the strength and long term viability of country football clubs and leagues throughout Victoria and focuses on issues including the role of football in building community identity, relationships with netball and cricket competitions and the effect of population and social changes. Economic and financial issues affecting country football were also examined. A series of 34 recommendations are listed to enhance support for football in Victoria. TH.
Victorian Football League, Finals Battle '81, Herald and Weekly Times: Melbourne, 1981.
Victorian Football League. Media Department., Australian Football: A Fundamental Guide to the Game, Media Department of the Victorian Football League: [Victoria].
Wade, Doug, Doug Wade's Match of the Day, 1982, Newspress: Melbourne, 1982.
Walker, Clinton, A Football Life, Pan: Sydney, 1998.
Walker records his life-time involvement with football, beginning with his father's football career in the VFA, VAFA and finally as country footballer in the Bendigo area during the 1950s. Walker's own career as a talented player with prominent junior club, Sherwood, in Brisbane during the early 1970s is also described. Through interviews with former players, officials and fans of elite and grassroots footy, Walker depicts the challenges, problems and successes of various clubs, alongside an account of the emotional effect of football involvement for fans and players. Detailed analyses of Sherwood, (QAFL), Eaglehawk (Bendigo Football League) and Colbinabbin (Heathcote District Football League) are especially interesting. The theme of the transformation of grassroots football's role as a community-binding agent, to one of purely a player feeder system for elite level football, is laced throughout this interesting narrative. TH.
Ward, Peter & Mathews, Bruce, Footy, Pitman Publishing: Carlton, Vic., 1978.
Warner, Dave, Footy's Hall of Shame, Fremantle Arts Centre Press: South Fremantle, WA, 1996.
An entertaining and informative compendium of football’s embarrassing, shameful and quirky moments, focusing on individual personalities, teams and eras. Includes discussions of player mistakes, ‘finals flops and fade outs’, bloopers by umpires, league officials and the media, a section on ‘doom recruits’ and a dishonour board of the least successful clubs. Contains several black and white photographs, cartoons by Steve Panozzo and a bibliography. TH.
West Australian Football History, 1885-1971, Printed by Pilpel & Co.: Perth, WA, 1971.
West Australian Football League., Red Rooster Football Carnival 1982, West Australian Football League: Perth, WA, 1982.
Whimpress, Bernard & South Australian National Football League, The South Australian Football Story, South Australian National Football League: West Lakes, SA, 1983.
Wickham, Gary & Local Consumption (Firm), The Politics of V.F.L. Football, Occasional Paper / Local Consumption, Local Consumption Publications: Sydney, 1984.
Wilks, Miles, Australian Football Clubs of New South Wales: and their contribution to the AFL, Bas Publishing: Seaford, Vic., 2011.
Williams, Fos & Sexton, Michael, Fos Williams on Football 1959-1965, M. Sexton: Adelaide, SA, 2007.
Williams, Laurie, Gone but Not Forgotten, L. Williams: [Gippsland, Vic.], 1987-1988.
Three volumes published in 1987, 1988 and 1989.
Williams, Laurie, Greenwood, Cliff, & Mid Gippsland Football League, From the Ashes: A History of the Mid Gippsland Football League 1935-1985, Mid Gippsland Football League: [Morwell, Vic.], 1985.
This is a descriptive and comprehensive, albeit brief, history of the foundation of the league, followed by longer histories of member clubs. LF.
Williamson, J. & Bucknell, Mar, Football's Forgotten Tour: The Story of the British Australian Rules Venture of 1888, J. Williamson: Applecross, WA, 2003.
A fascinating account of the British Rugby team's tour of Australia in 1888, which involved nineteen matches of Australian Rules football against local sides in Victoria and South Australia, as well as several Rugby matches in NSW and New Zealand. A detailed record of all the Australian Rules matches is presented from newspaper reports and other sources of the period. It concludes with an account of the failed attempt to take an Australian Rules football team to Britain in 1888 and an investigation of claims of Australian football being played in Scotland prior to 1914. Extensive photographic and genealogical sources are included, alongside several black and white and colour pictures, an index, endnotes and bibliography. TH.
Wilson, Tony, AFL Footy Fan's Handbook, Scholastic Australia: Gosford, NSW, 2006.
Wilson, Tony & Hatcher, Don, AFL Footy Fan's Handbook, Omnibus Books: Malvern, SA, 2005.
Wood, John, SA Greats: The History of the Magarey Medal, J. and W. Wood: Plympton, SA, 1988.
Wood, John & Adelaide City Mission, The Great Grand Finals: Adelaide City Mission Football Budget: The Official Publication of the Great Grand Finals, Adelaide 28th April, 1992, Adelaide City Mission: [Adelaide], 1992.
Wood, John & South Australian National Football League, Magarey Medallist Grove: Researched Information for the Plaques for the S.A.N.F.L, 1987.
Woodgate, Grant, Australian Football Heritage (Victorian), 1856-1985, Valprint: Mildura, Vic., 1985.