In November 2013 two coincidental events in Darwin demonstrated the powerful role that AFL football can play in the lives of Indigenous people in the Northern Territory. One was the announcement that former Melbourne Demons star Liam Jarrah (pictured) would wear the red and black strip of the Tiwi Bombers in the NTFL Wet season competition. The other, that Xavier Clarke had been appointed as coach of the NT Thunder AFL side.
Jurrah's fall from grace had been well documented. His rare football talent had not provided him effective protection from the sometimes overwhelming social challenges confronting young Indigenous men in the Territory. But now another chance had been offered.
In Darwin, Aussie Rules is played in sometimes atrocious conditions. Even when tropical thunderstorms thrash tonnes of black rain onto the oval, crowds are drawn to watch the silky skills and flawless dexterity of so many Indigenous players. Pundits were sure that Jurrah's skills would add to the exhilaration of footy in the Top End.
What was exciting about the appointment of Clarke was that he is home-grown. He attended primary school in Darwin and graduated from O'Loughlin Catholic College before being drafted by St Kilda FC. Clarke started his football career at the famous St Mary's FC in Darwin and now brings his experience back home to pass on.
Some may think Aussie rules is like a trampoline catapulting young Indigenous footballers into a fairytale AFL life. Certainly there have been wonderful examples of success. But for every bounce and somersault there is a twist. Many a trick fails to come off and our gymnast ends up sprawled on the matting.
While Jurrah at Melbourne FC could leap and hang as he flew for one of his famous 'speckies', he found the stress of daily life a sterner opponent than a ferocious full back. The recent resignation from Hawthorn FC of young Indigenous player Dayle Garlett echoes the hypothesis that AFL success depends on more than talent.
Clarke's AFL career was less flamboyant than Jurrah's. Recruited as a high draft pick, he never reached the heights foreshadowed by his talent. Perhaps the most significant feature of his career was that he was able to return to senior football and play well after suffering a number of serious injuries.
And that's what footy's about — the courage to get back up after injury, getting the hard ball, backing back into the pack, punching from behind, playing defensively