Why We Love Footy: An Aussie Rules History in 50 Great Moments

by Martin Blake

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

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

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

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

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

300 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2026

About the author

Martin Blake has written on sport for more than 25 years, most of it with The Age in Melbourne. He has covered every AFL season since 1986, and several Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, US Masters golf tournaments, the British Open Championship and various Australian cricket tours. He has won numerous awards for writing on Australian football, cricket and golf, and is a member of the MCG Media Hall of Fame. He also broadcasts on sport for the ABC. Martin plays far too much golf, and lives in Melbourne.

Reviews

[Jennifer]

A great list of moments of Aussie Rules from a person who saw most of them live. Not being quite as old as the author, I have seen at least half of the moments that he references. The author describes many of the plays so vividly that I can see them in my own eye and, for some, can actually remember where I was when I saw them live.

My only quibble is that there was a significant focus on Victoria - but I can understand (forgive?) this given the author is Victorian and the league was the VFL for about half the time period covered and that Victoria has most of the teams.

A great read for lovers of this great game.

[Nick]

A quick and fun reminder of the good things about footy - inevitably a bit too Vic focused, but it was always going to be,