A Game of Our Own: The Origins of Australian FootballRevised edition of this history of Australian Rules football. Discusses the birth of the national game, the characters and champions of the early days, how the VFL was formed, and why the umpire's job is so difficult. Argues that the game evolved through a series of inventions. Includes illustrations, sources, and index. Author is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Melbourne and has previously written many titles including 'The Rush that Never Ended' and 'The Tyranny of Distance'. |
Contents
The Man in the Zingari Stripe | 1 |
Football in the Paddock | 11 |
To the Goldfields | 31 |
The Day of the Round Ball and the Oblong Ground | 46 |
When Harrison Grabbed the Ball and Ran | 68 |
Rise of the Barrackers and Hissers | 82 |
High Marks Little Marks and Goal Sneaks | 98 |
Victorian perish the thought | 132 |
Other editions - View all
A Game of Our Own: The Origins of Australian Football (16pt Large Print Edition) Geoffrey Blainey No preview available - 2010 |
Common terms and phrases
Aboriginal Adelaide afternoon allowed arena Association Australian football ball Ballarat became become began bouncing boundary called captain Carlton centre clubs code of football Cricket Club crowd early England English especially evidence field final first five foot football club football match free kick Gaelic gained gave Geelong goal goalposts half hand Harrison held important Irish July kick late later League less mark match meeting Melbourne Cricket Ground moved newspapers normal once opponents original oval Park perhaps played players Port possessed posts present probably pushing reported Richmond rough Rugby rules Saturday schools scored scrummage season seemed seen senior shape side skills soccer sometimes South spectators sport St Kilda standing strong style supporters Sydney town trees umpire Victorian winter yards Yarra young