Two new footy films to be released about Adam Goodes and AFL racism

A film due for release this year examining the glittering highs and shocking lows in the career of one of the game’s most divisive figures has those at AFL headquarters worried.

It’s the AFL’s hottest political football.

But rather than kicking it around behind closed doors, the biggest names in football are openly talking about the dark side of the game.

Shooting on The Australian Dream, based around the career of Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes, has wrapped following 18 months of no-holds-barred interviews.

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Adam Goodes during his lap of honour. Photo Jeremy Piper

Think Paul Roos, John Longmire, Nicky Winmar, Nathan Buckley and, of course, Eddie McGuire.

AFL head honcho Gillon McLachlan was grilled about racism in the game but his interview has ended up on the cutting room floor.

The movie, written by Goodes mate Stan Grant and helmed by BAFTA-winning director Daniel Gordon, is a confronting examination of a shameful period in the national game.

Award-winning producer Nick Batzias, former head of Madman Productions and now fronting Good Thing Productions, says the film focuses on Goodes’ life.

But it is a much bigger story about Australia and why people on both sides of the boundary fence behaved they way they did.

“It is really looking at Australia through a lens of what Adam went through,” Batzias told Page 13.

“But our project is not a witch hunt. This was really important to Adam.”

The same might not be said about another film on Goodes, The Final Quarter, to be released at the Sydney Film Festival in June.

Goodes who played 372 AFL games for the Swans. Picture. Phil Hillyard

The historical archival doco focuses on the last three years of Goodes’ glittering AFL career, and those not-so-shining moments.

Eddie McGuire’s King Kong comments, the booing and abuse by opposition fans and the incident involving a 13-year-old Collingwood fan are a bitter reminder of what Goodes endured.

The Final Quarter is “divisive” and causing concern at AFL headquarters.

Batzias says both films work as companion pieces, but his feature documentary goes deeper than just pointing fingers.

“This is not looking to blame people, absolutely not. Stan and Adam were very clear on that,” he says.

“They are both sons of white and black Australia and unless we can own our past in a meaningful way, how can we collectively move forward?

“You are never going to get people to come on that journey if you are pointing fingers and ranting and raving.

“Of course things happened that no one liked. Even the people who are the wrongdoers would like to have their time again. Well, most of them.”

MAKING THE CUT

EDDIE McGuire was embroiled in controversy again this week, “unreservedly apologising” for an off-the-cuff comment as double amputee Cynthia Banham tossed the coin at the Swans versus Adelaide match.

Careless?

Yes, but no one could say the Collingwood prez doesn’t front up to the mob and apologise with meaning (he has had a bit of practice).

Eddie was front and centre during the Goodes saga, first with his infamous King Kong gaffe. Two years later he again sparked controversy over his comments on the Swans star’s indigenous “war cry” celebration after kicking a goal.

Eddie apologised for his comments about the coin toss. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

“We’ve never seen that before and I don’t think we ever want to see it again to be perfectly honest, regardless of what it is,” McGuire said on air at the time.

Batzias says Eddie’s interview in the film is powerful. He accepts he was ignorant on some deep-seated racial issues in Australian culture. Men like former AFL commissioner Mike Fitzpatrick and McGuire come from a different era, Batzias says.

“So much about this is about understanding. Eddie completely acknowledges he made a mistake,” says The Australian Dream producer.

“He also acknowledges there were certain things he first thought. Take the war dance for example. He thought that was really aggressive when he first saw it, but two weeks later when Lewis Jetta did it, almost in defence of Adam, he thought, what a great gesture.”

INSIDE THE TANKING MATCH MOVES

Goodes celebrates a goal with an Indigenous dance at the SCG. Pitcure: Phil Hillyard

THE CONVERSATION WE HAVE TO HAVE

WHILE the Eddie McGuires, Gill McLachlans and Andrew Bolts all fronted up to be interviewed, plenty shied away.

Sydney shock jock Alan Jones was one who didn’t want to talk away from his own cosy microphone.

With an expected August national release across cinemas around the country, The Australian Dream will be tough viewing for those on and off the field.

The AFL employed indigenous activist Tanya Hosch as general manager of “inclusion and social policy.”

Hosch arranged a preview of the film for the AFL’s head honchos, who are said to be apprehensive but committed to bringing racial issues into the national conversation.

Filming is said to have been a cathartic experience for Goodes.

“The AFL will be really supportive of this film,” Batzias predicts.

“Not because it makes them feel comfortable. It will make them uncomfortable.

“But they are ready to have that conversation.”