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Footy Dreaming

Michael Hyde

4.23 · Rating details · 26 ratings · 15 reviews

Ben and Noah play on opposing teams in a footy-obsessed
town. They each dream of playing at the G – and this is their
make or break season.

Tensions rise as sledging goes too far.

Will Noah lose his cool, and his chance, in the face of prejudice?

Will Ben reject racism and forge his own path?

Noah and Ben have the potential to play in the AFL. It’s up to
each of them whether they ...more

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Paperback, First, 190 pages

Published May 1st 2015 by Ford Street Publishing

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4.23 ·

Rating details

· 26 ratings · 15 reviews

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May 04, 2015 Paul Collins rated it it was amazing

Shelves: australian-author, contemporary

In the Australian country town of Marshall fifteen year old Noah Davis and Ben Meredith barely know each other but they share a passion – that one day they will play AFL at the highest level. Each week they play for their respective teams training hard but all the while thinking and breathing footy. These two players come from vastly different backgrounds but much of their journey is the same. Will they make it to the top?

Noah belongs to the Mavericks, a supportive team with mateship and family In the Australian country town of Marshall fifteen year old Noah Davis and Ben Meredith barely know each other but they share a passion – that one day they will play AFL at the highest level. Each week they play for their respective teams training hard but all the while thinking and breathing footy. These two players come from vastly different backgrounds but much of their journey is the same. Will they make it to the top?

Noah belongs to the Mavericks, a supportive team with mateship and family as key components. Their team colours are black, red and yellow and with strong Koori ties amongst the community the Mavericks are a popular draw card at the local footy grounds.

Ben’s team is the Kookaburras, a team where loyalty is paramount but being a nice-guy is not necessary. Their coach Mark Elliot uses taunt and insults to opposing teams and expects his players to do likewise. Ben is from a family of third generation Kookaburra supporters and his father’s identity is heavily dependent upon this generational belonging.

The story begins with the first game of the season between the Mavericks and the Kookaburras. With talent scouts from the Bushrangers reported to be in town, looking for players for their elite squads, the match pressure is on. Both Noah and Ben want to be in their best form to start making their footy dreams come true.

As the story unfolds we see the pressure on the players from multiple quarters – performance, family, fellow players and one of racism. A fight ensues after that first match as Noah objects to being called a “black bastard” and when Ben steps in to break up the scuffle to assist Noah his team mates begin doubting his loyalty.

Hyde has created two very likeable and indomitable characters in Footy Dreaming who essentially remain focussed on their dreams while forming bonds of friendship over time. Helping each character to overcome racism and questions of loyalty are the staunch family members who through their footy fanaticism show how they deeply love and care for their sons. This story was enthralling and fascinating! Readers who love their footy will be happily entranced with this latest novel by Michael Hyde but those who have never even seen a match will be equally drawn in. Recommended for readers aged eleven plus.

Reviewed by Emily Meldrum -- posted with permission ...more

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Oct 08, 2015 Toby rated it liked it

I was recommended this book by my teacher Soo. I think she choose this book for me because she knows that I love footy and like reading footy books so that’s why I think she choose the book for me. I also started reading this book Footy Dreaming because it about two boys that love there footy on opposing teams in a footy obsessed town and they both each dream for playing on the MCG in their make you break season. I’m expecting that for the rest of the book that both the boys make the AFL and pla ...more

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Jul 10, 2015 Nikola Vukoja rated it it was amazing

Let me start by saying I am far from the ideal target audience for Michael Hyde’s Footy Dreaming. I rarely read YA, and almost never read fiction where the protagonist(s) are male teenagers, and know practically nothing about Australian Rules football. I’m probably going to be stoned for that last comment; especially given I was raised in Melbourne. Oddly enough, after reading Footy Dreaming (in 24-hours I might add), I think I might be the ideal reviewer for those every same reasons.

Told from t ...more

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Jul 16, 2017 P.Sait rated it it was amazing

i really liked this book it was good to read and the story was awsome and i just like the way he wrote it i just got a little bit confused how he kept swaping from characters and not really telling us that he swapped

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Apr 23, 2018 Sue Bursztynski rated it it was amazing

Loved this! And I don’t even enjoy watching footy. It’s about following your dreams, it’s about friendship and family and kindness. And yes, it’s about footy! Kids playing footy.

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Mar 02, 2017 Tim rated it it was amazing

Footy Dreaming
By Michael Hyde
RRP $17.95
Ford Street Publishing

The saying is ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover,’ however for this book you can, it has an amazing cover and story.

When it comes to football season all eyes are turned to the two stars of the town, Ben and Noah, who share a dream of playing at the MCG. Noah is aboriginal and the book is not shy of sharing the reality of racism with the readers.

The book takes you on a journey with the boys who are trying to make it into the Bushrange ...more

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May 04, 2015 Sue rated it it was amazing

Shelves: australian, sport, afl, fiction, young-adult, race-relations

I read this book in a day. I spent the afternoon of Mothers Day totally wrapped up in the world of Noah and Ben, the central characters in this novel. Both boys are at the top of their footy game, playing on opposing teams in the local comp. Noah Davis lives with his parents and older brother, Chris, in the town of Marshall, where he plays for the Mavericks. Ben Meredith, who plays for the Kookaburras, lives with his father and younger sister.
After a racism-fuelled incident on the footy field w I read this book in a day. I spent the afternoon of Mothers Day totally wrapped up in the world of Noah and Ben, the central characters in this novel. Both boys are at the top of their footy game, playing on opposing teams in the local comp. Noah Davis lives with his parents and older brother, Chris, in the town of Marshall, where he plays for the Mavericks. Ben Meredith, who plays for the Kookaburras, lives with his father and younger sister.
After a racism-fuelled incident on the footy field where Ben tries to stop his racist team-mate, Mark Elliott, from beating up Noah, tensions are high. Out for a training run after the match, Ben happens upon Noah and the two boys begin to do training runs together. Slowly a friendship develops.
Ben's openly racist father tells him to stay away from Noah because "their type" is trouble, but Ben does not think like his father and finds himself disillusioned by his Dad's behaviour. Noah is going through a tough time due to his grandmother, a much-loved matriarch, being ill with pneumonia in a neighbouring town.
Throw into the mix a scout from the Bushrangers development squad and his interest in both boys for a spot, and things look set to explode. When Ben transfers from the Kookaburras to the Mavericks after being ostracised and bullied by his team-mates, the scene is set for a re-match of epic proportions. Will either boy get the coveted Bushrangers letter? Will either of them make it off the field in one piece?
I loved the easy language of this novel. The way these boys talk to one another is the way I hear my son's team talk on the footy field. The grass-roots feel is palpable and it is easy to believe how seriously the small town treats it's footy. I particularly enjoyed the character of Ms Gillmartin, the school librarian who is a die-hard footy tragic and the maths teacher, Mr Garner, who are both supportive of the boys in their own way. I also really liked footy being used as a metaphor for conduct of life - acceptance, tolerance, working hard, celebrating achievement, friendship and loyalty. I am pretty sure the boys aged 13 and up at my school will love it, but there is plenty for girls here too. Because whilst footy is the backdrop for this story, its central concern is family and relationships and Hyde does it really well.
For ages 13 and up. ...more

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Sep 30, 2015 Emily Meldrum rated it it was amazing

In the Australian country town of Marshall fifteen year old Noah Davis and Ben Meredith barely know each other but they share a passion – that one day they will play AFL at the highest level. Each week they play for their respective teams training hard but all the while thinking and breathing footy. These two players come from vastly different backgrounds but much of their journey is the same. Will they make it to the top?
Noah belongs to the Mavericks, a supportive team with mateship and family In the Australian country town of Marshall fifteen year old Noah Davis and Ben Meredith barely know each other but they share a passion – that one day they will play AFL at the highest level. Each week they play for their respective teams training hard but all the while thinking and breathing footy. These two players come from vastly different backgrounds but much of their journey is the same. Will they make it to the top?
Noah belongs to the Mavericks, a supportive team with mateship and family as key components. Their team colours are black, red and yellow and with strong Koori ties amongst the community the Mavericks are a popular drawcard at the local footy grounds.
Ben’s team is the Kookaburras, a team where loyalty is paramount but being a nice-guy is not necessary. Their coach Mark Elliot uses taunt and insults to opposing teams and expects his players to do likewise. Ben is from a family of third generation Kookaburra supporters and his father’s identity is heavily dependent upon this generational belonging.
The story begins with the first game of the season between the Mavericks and the Kookaburras. With talent scouts from the Bushrangers reported to be in town, looking for players for their elite squads, the match pressure is on. Both Noah and Ben want to be in their best form to start making their footy dreams come true.
As the story unfolds we see the pressure on the players from multiple quarters – performance, family, fellow players and one of racism. A fight ensues after that first match as Noah objects to being called a “black bastard” and when Ben steps in to break up the scuffle to assist Noah his team mates begin doubting his loyalty.
Hyde has created two very likeable and indomitable characters in Footy Dreaming who essentially remain focussed on their dreams while forming bonds of friendship over time. Helping each character to overcome racism and questions of loyalty are the staunch family members who through their footy fanaticism show how they deeply love and care for their sons. This story was enthralling and fascinating! Readers who love their footy will be happily entranced with this latest novel by Michael Hyde but those who have never even seen a match will be equally drawn in. Recommended for readers aged eleven plus. ...more

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Aug 03, 2016 Tiana Mann rated it it was amazing

Footy Dreaming

By Michael Hyde

Ford Street Publishing

RRP $17.95

ISBN 978-1-925000-99-3

Michael Hyde's new novel Footy Dreaming weaves a complex tale. It tells of two fifteen-year-old country boys from Marshall, who both dream of one day playing AFL at the MCG.

Noah Davis plays for the Mavericks under the inclusive and kind-hearted coach Harry O'Grady – affectionately known as HOG. Unfortunately for Ben Meredith, who plays for the Kookaburras, he is coached by the racist and aggressive Mr Elliot, who Footy Dreaming

By Michael Hyde

Ford Street Publishing

RRP $17.95

ISBN 978-1-925000-99-3

Michael Hyde's new novel Footy Dreaming weaves a complex tale. It tells of two fifteen-year-old country boys from Marshall, who both dream of one day playing AFL at the MCG.

Noah Davis plays for the Mavericks under the inclusive and kind-hearted coach Harry O'Grady – affectionately known as HOG. Unfortunately for Ben Meredith, who plays for the Kookaburras, he is coached by the racist and aggressive Mr Elliot, who even HOG accuses of 'turning kids into thugs'. Both boys need to be selected by the Bushrangers Development Squad in order to come a step closer to fulfilling their footy dreams. Noah and Ben have the commitment and natural talent to make it, so believe they have an equal chance at selection.

Through the two footy clubs, Michael Hyde cleverly depicts how it takes a whole village to raise a child, and how different methodologies impact on a child's future. It also shows how a kind family unit with good intentions can triumph over aggression and oppression. Noah's grandma, a wise Elder and anchor for the Gunditjmara mob, teaches Noah patience, dignity, tolerance and hope. 'She held hope for people – people can change'.

Through Ben and Noah, the plot cleverly unravels and exposes the underlying racism present in many country towns; the insidious nature of lifelong prejudices being passed down to the next generation and how it has become accepted and tolerated.

Sledging and racial taunts differ in extremes, but ultimately Footy Dreaming examines how change can occur when backed up by law. We see that racial vilification charges being laid on the footy field can offer hope for the future.

This story is gripping, showing the rawness of country footy, a quality that is lost in the commercial world of AFL. But more importantly, Michael Hyde’s book portrays two boys sharing a common dream, who through the formation of their unlikely friendship, see the world more clearly, along with their dreams.

Robyn Donoghue ...more

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May 04, 2015 Robyn Donoghue rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Michael Hyde's new novel Footy Dreaming weaves a complex tale. It tells of two fifteen-year-old country boys from Marshall, who both dream of one day playing AFL at the MCG.

Noah Davis plays for the Mavericks under the inclusive and kind-hearted coach Harry O'Grady – affectionately known as HOG. Unfortunately for Ben Meredith, who plays for the Kookaburras, he is coached by the racist and aggressive Mr Elliot, who even HOG accuses of 'turning kids into thugs'. Both boys need to be selected by the ...more

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Dec 10, 2015 Rachel rated it really liked it

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May 12, 2015 Sandra Shannon rated it really liked it

A new novel by Michael Hyde. The story is set in a country town in Victoria. The two main characters, Noah and Ben are very good AFL footballers hoping to make the big time. The two boys play in opposing teams and don't spend time together at school. Everything changes when their two teams play each other and Noah is racially vilified. Because Ben befriends Noah, he is caste out by his coach and team-mates. Really good descriptions of AFL football and a book football followers will identify with ...more

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Dec 05, 2015 Jennie rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, realistic, indigenous

Footy dreaming turned out be a pleasant surprise, once I survived the kick by kick match commentary in the second chapter; proving to be a gritty, authentic novel about prejudice, rural town life, following your dreams and measuring true friendship. This will prove particularly popular with male teenagers and it is good to see positive messages about sportsmanship and accepting differences in a realistic and down to earth novel.

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