Australian Football Clubs in New South Wales

One cannot deny that many other sports, including cricket, hockey, tennis, rugby league, rugby union and soccer have all contributed to our nation and have provided lasting memories, but to dislike Australian Rules football because of its perceived geographical area of origin is an odd thing to do. What makes it even odder is the fact that the man largely responsible for the creation of Australian Rules football, Tom Wills, was born in New South Wales. One of the aims of this book is to redress the attitudes that people have towards Australian football in NSW.

It is about providing a fresh perspective on the game in the state. Victoria or Victorians do not own the game - Australians own the game. NSW, SA, WA, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania all have Australian Rules clubs. Every one of these states has contributed something worthwhile to the history of Australian football. This book provides the evidence that there are many fine Australian football clubs in New South Wales and that the state has produced approximately 400 players that have had VFL/AFL careers. These clubs are from all parts of the state - from Nelson Bay on the North Coast to Tathra on the South Coast, and from Ungarie in the central west to Tocumwal next to the Murray River.

There are also many Sydney clubs that have contributed players to the game at its highest level. So by focusing on the NSW clubs that have produced AFL quality players one can reassess Australian football's role in this state. Far from Australian Rules having a poor legacy, there is a long and interesting history to the game in this state.