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Articles on AFL

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Australian sport may only account for 1.6% of total household spend, but its macro impact on the economy is strong. from www.shutterstock.com

Sport is more than just a fringe player in Australia’s economy

Australian sport will never have the commercial clout to bring the economy out of recession or solve a regional unemployment problem. But it is more than a fringe player in the economic game.
Understanding what makes a great leader depends upon the measure of success, which in commercial sport is brutally unambiguous. AAP/Julian Smith

What are the attributes needed to be a successful sporting leader?

The goal of identifying leadership attributes that translate into team success remains as elusive in sport as it does in other spheres of human endeavour.
Susan Alberti (left) and Debbie Lee were pivotal to the formation of the national women’s AFL competition. Melbourne Football Club

Change Agents: Susan Alberti and Debbie Lee on establishing a national women’s football league

Change Agents: Establishing a national women’s football league The Conversation, CC BY-NC-SA45.9 MB (download)
Andrew Dodd talks to Susan Alberti and Debbie Lee about their fight to overcome prejudice and establish a national women's AFL competition.
It may not be comfortable or easy to do but racist abuse needs to be challenged in sport and our society. Ben Macmahon/AAP

Eddie Betts and racism in sport: it’s not enough to just not join in

Sport can be a driver for change; it can make a difference in people’s lives and unify communities, particularly around national successes. But it can also create tensions and cause conflict.
Whichever way you look at it, Australian rules football makes a clear difference for the better in people’s lives. AAP/Joe Castro

Back to the future: has the AFL lost its community?

In their hearts, everyone associated with the AFL knows the decline in the community is real.
Sport continues to be one of Australia’s most potent social lubricants. AAP/David Crosling

More than fun: capitalising sport’s social goods

Public discourse and commentary are generally blind to the massive contribution that local sport contributes to social connectedness.
Footballer Adam Goodes was daring to speak of things that many Australians would prefer to be ignorant of. AAP/Dean Lewins

The land we play on: equality doesn’t mean justice

Until we see a marked change in the stories that are told, together with a shift from inclusion to social justice, the national story of Australian sport will remain very, very white.
The Papunya elders who organised the event were less concerned about their team winning and more about ensuring each community got a fair go. Barry Judd

The Aboriginal football ethic: where the rules get flexible

Sports weekends are where family connections are sustained, and culture is infused into Australian football games played on country.
Are players victims of workplace hazards or willing participants in known dangers? Peter Dean/Flickr

Who should be responsible for brain injuries in sport?

The 2016 State of Origin rugby league competition is over for another year and the focus has shifted to off-field events with claims for compensation for brain injury.
Hawthorn Hawks played better than expected in 2015 and beat the West Coast Eagles in the AFL Grand Final at the MCG. AAP Image/Julian Smith

Is winning all that matters in AFL or does the performance count?

The path to grand final victory in AFL can be paved with many wins and losses. But it’s measuring how a team plays against an expected result that can help them improve.
Predicting the outcome of each of the 198 AFL home-and-away matches is no small task. AAP/Joe Castro

A tip to win your office footy tipping? Don’t listen to the experts

If you’re looking to win your colleagues’ and friends’ respect in a footy tipping competition you can do a whole lot worse than simply tuning out of the countless hours of TV and radio analysis.

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