A Father's Son

by Mat Rogers

'A book about humanity as much as sport. It’s like sitting at the kitchen table with your best mate and he’s pouring his heart out – about his life, his loss, his triumphs and his faults … and the love that got him through. Honest, generous, and most of all, courageous.' Markus Zusak, bestselling author of The Book Thief Mat Rogers is an Aussie footy legend and TV star who has triumphed over hardship, loss and heartache. He is finally ready to share his powerful life story. He is one of the most talented footballers of the modern era and a dual international in rugby league and rugby union. But for a long time, Mat Rogers lived in both the shadow and the thrall of his famous father, and their complex relationship shaped him in ways he couldn’t fathom. Craving paternal acceptance while determined to carve out his own identity and, later, to avoid repeating the sins of the father, he veered between periods of jubilation and depression, fulfilment and despair. Now, in his majestic, evocative autobiography, Rogers tells the story of a life framed by triumph and tragedy, a life in which, ultimately, he finds purpose and contentment in a harsh world. With its cracking pace and unvarnished frankness, A Father’s Son will be widely read and difficult to forget. Though by and about a celebrated footballer, it is so much more than another athlete’s memoirs. In spare, vivid prose, Rogers reveals how his teenage years were marked by periods of rebellion and self-destructive behaviour. Then, at age 20, he became a father to son Jack before he had finished his own journey into adulthood. By 22, he was married to first wife Michelle with another child, daughter Skyla, following shortly after. As well as discussing the experience of having a family while still a young man, Rogers also recounts the challenges that have defined his life off the sports field – the impact of losing both his parents in tragic circumstances and the experimental neck surgery he underwent in 2007, ending years of debilitating pain. Rogers’ story is one of a man who rises to the difficulties life sends his way. The discovery that his son Max is autistic prompted him and second wife Chloe to co-found charity 4 ASD Kids – and he talks passionately about the work he has done to raise awareness of a subject so close to home. That fighting spirit introduced Rogers to an even greater number of Australians who watched the sporting legend thrive on Australian Survivor. Across two memorable appearances on the reality TV series, he impressed viewers with his ability to combine his competitive spirit with his desire to play with heart. That duality, which defines Rogers' life, shines through in A Father’s Son. 'I couldn’t put this down. Mat shares his story with so much honesty and openness. I was overcome with emotion and such deep respect for Mat and the person, father and role model that he is.' Sally Obermeder, author and presenter

Genres: Audiobook, Biography

352 pages, Hardcover

Published October 5, 2022

Reviews

[Queralt✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Dad, I wonder, where are you? And what were you thinking? Because you could be here with us, where you belong.”

Mat Rogers has left me speechless. Again.

The first time my jaw dropped because of him was because of that one impeccable blindside he pulled off on Survivor Australia. If it hadn’t been for him and what he did in that episode, I think I wouldn’t have continued watching the show. I don’t know what the first year of my PhD would have looked like without having the show as my little daily moment to disconnect and relax.

But anyways, I guess you can imagine I picked up this memoir for all the wrong reasons. Mat Rogers is my favorite player (okay, maybe after Moana, but still) of Survivor Australia and I’ve always been amazed at him. They called him the Grandfather and he looks lethal, but he always came off as a dude who’s had a life packed with lessons. I think of him, and I think of integrity and ambition for whatever reason. Watching the show, he briefly mentioned his dad, his mom, and his involvement with a charity for autistic kids - I thought this book would let me see what’s the deal with it all since the show only gave him so many minutes of the spotlight, and welp, it did.

Prior to picking this book up, I didn’t know Australian football was a thing. Mat talks about playing ‘footy’ and not rugby, so I was like “ok, soccer” but then I’d check what he did, and everything looked like rugby. Turns out, Australian football is similar-ish to rugby for my dumb European brain. I guess I can now say I didn’t care much about all the matches, but it was an entertaining read about a man following his ambition and seeing how getting ‘there’ still means not knowing where to go next and facing bad moments.

I don’t want to make this review too long because I think Mat Rogers is famous in Australia (and all Aussies probably know who he is or his wife/father, and I’m just a dumbass who watches Survivor and reads books). So, here’s my highlights:
- Mat talking about Survivor. Like, dude. Thanks. I legit cried when I saw the picture of Moana, they’re my two favorite people (Tarzan’s up there too, so him being there was even better).
- Mat and his mom. His love for her touched me in a strange way and I cried like a baby. How strong do you have to be to tell someone to stop fighting? I don’t know. ‘It’s okay to go to sleep,’ I say. ‘You’ve fought long enough.’
- Mat and his dad. I don’t know shit about Steve Rogers, but I think I now know whatever I should know. He was a flawed man but a good dad. I can’t imagine being in Mat’s shoes when he was taken to identify him. I can’t imagine what it must be knowing that your dad chose to go and regretted it last minute, but it was too late.
- Mat’s injuries. My dude, I’m reading this while recovering from ORIF surgery on my ankle and he’s had it too. And has had a finger amputated (well, two I guess), a million surgeries, and still rocked Survivor?? This was exactly what I needed to make me feel less pathetic.

Mat as a father and a human tries to do his best and love as much as he can. He doesn’t shy away from mistakes but he talks about how he wants to do things right and really tries to do everything right. Well, I think he’s managing to do it. The way his wife proposed starting the charity and how they had continued to run ASD 4 Kids is just 10/10.

So, yep. I’m stopping my fangirling. I’ll just finish this by saying this was very approachable and easy to read, it truly felt like being with a buddy who’s chatting about his life. And, for the little I know about Australia, seeing how he bumped into ET before Survivor or played footy with Markus Zusak was hilarious.

[Jay Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I really loved watching Mat on Survivor and was really intrigued when I found out he had a book so naturally I had to read it and boy am I glad I did! Mat’s book was incredibly human. It was raw, heartwarming, devastating and inspiring. It reminded me there are so many different “chapters” in our life that help shape us into who we grow to be but they don’t have to be the end of our story. They can help be a new beginning.

:)

[Jay Dwight · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A good sports bio.

A story told with honesty and openness. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over three-days, in fact, I couldn't put it down. I'm not a League or Union supporter but I have never missed an episode of Survivor and enjoyed watching Mat Rogers on the show. However it was Mat's experience with shoulder pain and recent diagnosis that drew me to the book (this we have in common). The book is engaging and paced as fast as the years that speed by while one is busy establishing a career, raising children, and building a life, with all the good, the bad, and the sad that life brings. It's clear that when Mat Rogers gets knocked down he gets back up. The book is well written and I enjoyed reading about the becoming of Mat Rogers.

[Lyn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read. Mat is honest, raw and emotional as he relates the triumphs and tragedies experienced in his life. This is right up there as one of my favourite books by a rugby league player. This is a book that young upcoming players should read to let them know that it is not all beer and skittles. A behind the scenes look at life as a player in a game where we only see whats on the field and on the scoreboard. They are so much more than that. Mat also shares what life is like as a parent of a child with autism. Mat and Chloe are to be applauded for how they have handled their family life and for the commitment and hard work with their charity.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story, and so well written. You don't often stop to think that these elite sports people have ever day lives going on around them, and how hard they need to train to make it to the top level. Mat Rogers has given us an insight into his world and it's a truly heartfelt and emotional read.
I would strongly recommend this as a wonderful book to read. You don't need to be a sports fan to enjoy yet. 5/5 Star Rating.

[Cleve Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best sports autobiographies, you can just tell when they’re being honest, and Mat (one of my favourite boyhood players of all time) let’s it all out.. from the highest highs to the lowest lows. My heart broke multiple times, on things I knew about his family and things I only just learnt

And let’s not forget his two stints on my favourite show Survivor where he proved to be an excellent player just like in sport

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It’s not just footy games like so many other sports books. Mat covers the events of his whole life, his ups and downs, struggles, health, relationships, all the good and the bad. As a Steve rogers and sharks fan, I found this book extremely interesting and a great read.

[Michelle Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a lot of autobiographies in my life and not one of them has made me cry.

Mat Rogers tells his story in such a warm and vulnerable way that you can’t help but feel the heartbreaking experiences he has lived through.

There’s a lot of good in this book. Unlike any football book I have read. This is honest, heartfelt and beautiful.

Read it with a box of tissues.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't really follow Rugby League or Rugby Union. Mostly I knew of Mat Rogers through his time on Survivor, though I recognised him as someone who had played for Australia. An interesting and easy read of a man who has dealt with lots of different challenges and struggles in his life.

[Mike Gough · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent biography of an incredible elite athlete.
I wondered how he was motivated to switch from NRL to Super Rugby and the Wallabies, and this was explained in the book. Very interesting insight into elite professional sport and the level of commitment required.

[Connor FitzGerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read. I grew up watching Mat Rogers in both league and union. He gives a raw and honest account of the highs and lows of his wrestle with life as the son of a famous footballer.

[Glenda Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend. Compelling

[Julie Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book.
In all honesty, I’m an AFL fan. I do dabble in the other code so I am well aware of Mat Rogers.
I laughed and I cried, all within the first half of the book, then did the same in the second. It was well written and delves deep in to his relationship with his Dad and how that translated into a love of football at the highest level. Especially when told because of his size he couldn’t do it. I respect and relate to that.
This is a book for NRL fans, for Union fans and just anyone who loves reading about elite sportspeople and the world they live and play in.

[Wayne Sylvester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down

Inspiring life story of a man chasing his dreams and caring for his family and others along the entire journey

[Dr Tim Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific read

Loved the book and the way Mat was so honest and open. I’d recommend anyone with at least a passing interest in sport to read the book.