Eddie Betts has been a superstar of Australian Rules Football since the mid 2000 and has a highlight reel that is second to none with his freakish ability to make the impossible seem not only possible but probable when he had ball in hand. However, it was not his prowess on the field that encouraged me to pick up his autobiography but his regular inclusion on AFL 360 and especially his discussion of indigenous issues. These segments are powerful not with some combative rallying cry for action but in the genuine and raw emotion that Eddie brings to a discussion which can engage with Australians that have till now remain unaffected by the plight of indigenous Australians. In this way “The boy from Boomerang Crescent” does not disappoint.

Overall, the biography is well balanced as it effectively blends the story of Bett’s AFL journey and more than 300 games playing for Carlton and Adelaide with his family experiences and instances of racism. While there are obvious chapters like the one on the despicable preseason camp which grabbed most of the media attention there are few moments where the book focuses on any one specific aspect. This serves to highlight the fact that Bett’s life is about the interconnection between these elements of his identity and that they don’t operate in isolation from each other. Perhaps that very chapter about the camp demonstrates this the most as while it covers Bett’s feelings of personal betrayal and the cultural appropriation he also reflects on the impact on the team dynamic. Not only does this integration provide for a more realistic and richer portrait of Bett’s but it also means it is a more engaging read as it never goes too heavily in one direction which might dissuade some readers.

The beauty of Bett’s biography is that throughout his story it is possible for an outsider to build an understanding of the importance of family and ‘mob’ to indigenous people. This is achieved through the interconnection and role that Bett’s connection with his ‘mob’ plays in every aspect of his life. Through his upbringing it is the relationships and experiences playing footy with his cousins and the efforts his mother and Aunt put in to help him reach the AFL. At later points in his career, it is in his own ability to engage with and support other indigenous players like Tyson Stengle where we can appreciate the continued relevance of such connection and the evolution of the community away from a conception of blood relatives. There are of course many other instances where Bett’s highlights the importance of this community but the ability for his story to show these instances authentically rather than trying to tell the audience is why it prompts better understanding, so I’m not going to ruin it by listing more.

Finally, it would be hard to discuss the book without touching on the plight of Indigenous Australians. Bett’s experiences and family like most indigenous communities shows the different scares of colonialism and suffer a range of intergenerational trauma. Throughout the memoir we are introduced to a range of the inequality faced by first nations people from the unexplained death in custody of Bett’s grandfather to racial slurs, the appropriation of culture and institutional silence. These are all there but in fitting with the style of the memoir none of this is used as some rallying call but an honest sharing of emotion. In addition to these specific events the disadvantage of indigenous communities is regularly on display especially during the earlier portion of the book as Bett’s details his own struggle to get to training and learning to read as an adult. There is no need here for Bett’s to get on a shop box and explain the link to colonialism and White Australia instead he simply presents things as they were much like any of his interviews on racism which has with it a subtle call for continued changed.

Overall Bett’s story is a powerful and moving read which has plenty for footy fans as he discuss many of his most freakish goals, his relationships with players both at Carlton and Adelaide, the ill-fated 2017 Grand Final and the attitude needed for such success. These are enjoyable moments and integrated well to really paint the picture of the highs and lows of AFL football and will be the reason why many people pick up the book but realistically it isn’t this tale by itself that makes it a unique read.