THE SEASON by Helen Garner
There has been a lot of talk about The Season by Helen Garner since its release in 2024. It’s a book documenting the 2023 season of the U16 boys team of the Flemington Colts AFL team.
There has been a lot of talk about The Season by Helen Garner since its release in 2024. It’s a book documenting the 2023 season of the U16 boys team of the Flemington Colts AFL team. The grandson of Helen Garner, Ambrose (Amby) plays on the team. Garner regularly drives Amby to and from training and watches his games, and so decides to write about the season which she rightly predicts will be the last where Amby is a boy. As is common with teenage boys around the age of 15, they start the year boys but end as men - in size, in thinking.
I was a touch hesitant about reading this one because, while I acknowledge Garner is a superb writer, I regularly disagree with her commentary on issues and my complaint about Joe Cinque’s Consolation was that she inserted herself into a story that wasn’t hers. However, my friend Nick gifted me this book a few days ago for my birthday and I dived right in.
I’m so glad I did.
One thing Helen and I have in common is our love of the Western Bulldogs, a professional AFL team located in inner-western Melbourne. She interweaves the rollercoaster story of the Bulldogs year through her documenting of Amby’s year of footy, which I loved. I think anyone who loves AFL football would love this book. Actually, if you love team sport of any kind - baseball, rugby, soccer, hockey or whatever - you’ll love the observation of team sport and the relationships that they build. If you happen to be a mad Doggies fan like me, that’s just the cherry on top.
The other thing Helen and I have on common is our love of the Bulldogs captain, Marcus Bontempelli. Marcus is just a gorgeous person - humble, kind and respected by teammates and opponents alike. I’ve seen him spend hours signing autographs and getting photos (including with me!) at club days well after everyone else has left. He is also a rolls royce of a football player - the kind I will be grateful to have witnessed play.
The Season is many things. It’s an observation of a game that, particularly in Melbourne, is better described as a religion. It’s an observation of youth and ageing. It’s an observation of culture. And, it’s about family - blood and chosen.
I devoured this book and I think a lot of people will love it too. I read it in 48 hours and now I am raring for the new season to start (just a month til pre-season starts!).
Go Doggies!