Making Their Mark - An unbelievable insight into Australian Rules Football and its battle with COVID-19
Wow, I am writing this after just finishing the pilot episode and I have to say you are in for a treat. AMAZON PRIME REALLY TRYNA GIVE US AUSSIE SPORT LOVERS SOME JUICY CONTENT
This is looking to be one of the great sporting documentaries. With the rise of critically acclaimed sporting documentaries from all angles and countries. From an Australian level, Amazon released Cricket's in depth analysis "The Test" exactly ONE YEAR AGO TO THE DAY. Obviously taking the last year to continue and finish production of this documentary.
Also, every man and dog in the world could not stop talking about "The Last Dance" highlighting the story of the late 80's and 90's era of the iconic Chicago Bulls who won the unexpected 5th ring in 1998. Basically, sport documentaries are in high demand and Bezos Inc. are trying to capitalise on the newfound popularity for sporting documentaries.
Making Their Mark is all about the AFL during the 2020 season. It looks at a few important players and coaches within the AFL, how they react to the pandemic, how it impacted players, administration, staff and fans is immeasurable and they go in grave detail for certain members of these different demographics:
- Greater Western Sydney Giant's Stephen Coniglio, the beginning of his journey as newly appointed Captain for the 2020 season, not only managing the stresses of being captain during COVID but also attempting to maintain his team's morale as the Giants look to bounce back from a depressing 89 point demolition in the 2019 Grand Final.
- Eddie Betts, from becoming a household name in Australia from Carlton, moving to Adelaide for a few years and nearly tasting the premiership, he then in 2020, at 33 years of age, returns to Carlton to make a statement of who he really is. Battling age, irregular training and preparation through COVID, you watch while he attempts maintain his level of yonder and play footy with the best of attitudes.
- Rory Sloane, also nearly tasting the premiership in 2017 alongside Betts, Rory Sloane stays at the Adelaide Crows going into his 200th game of his career. Knowing the losses from Adelaide's senior group, the Crows know that they are in a stage of rebuilding and adjusting to the new norms of the club. However, it is how Rory reacts and battles for the club he holds so dear is true footy spirit and the embodiment of the game we love so much.
- Nic Natainui, THE MARVEL. The Fijian Giant, a worldwide name and a wonder to watch. While maintaining his status as a top 3 ruckmen and insanely influential player for his team, he has been battling injuries consistently for the past 4 years. Forced to sit on the sidelines having to watch his Eagles win the Grand Final in 2018 without him, it was conflicting feelings. While insanely happy for the club and his best friends, he knows there's nothing more that he wants more than to be standing with his mates next time they get to the big dance and there is nothing that will stop his drive and motivation to succeed.
- Stuart Dew, newish coach, young list and looking to break out as the sporadic team on the block in 2020. With the arrivals of newly drafted Matthew Rowell, Noah Anderson and Izak Rankine back from long term injury, Dew and his Gold Coast Suns who have lacked results for a considerable amount of time are looking to prove the nonbelievers wrong. Their youthful yet motivated list needs some experience and to have that drive to win and it is unbelievable watching coaches behind the scenes, rile up there troops as if it is war on the field. THEY GIVE THEIR LIFE TO THEIR CLUBS these players and coaches and you can truly see it with Stuart Dew.
- LAST BUT NOT LEAST. Peggy O'neal, Brendon Gayle and Damien Hardwick. One of the most successful trios in AFL management in the past 7 years. Peggy, the President of the Richmond Football Club while combining her administrative abilities with her football persona, looks at maintenance of a club who has won 2 of the last 3 premierships and look to add a third cup to make it 3/4 (which they do). Brendon Gale as the CEO and 'Dimma' Hardwick as the head coach also look to uphold their consistent success with their hardcore, intense brand of football that just is unmatched from other teams.
All of these fantastic footy stories combined with COVID news, CEO of AFL Gillon Mclachlan delivering 'A current Affair' week in week out, season changes, players moving away to play in interstate 'HUBS' and moving away from Victoria, financial losses and so much politics, it looks to set a precedent for the future of sporting documentaries and if you are not from Australia, I still highly recommend as it does give fantastic glimpses of our beautiful game and why we hold it so dear to Victorian culture.