Fremantle Arts Centre Press 1998

176p., pbk, $13.95

1863691833

sequel to Killer Boots

The Fremantle Dockers Football Club are in the Australian Football League finals for the first time.  They have beaten Essendon in their first final.  But some people don’t want the Dockers to win their second finals game against Geelong and are targeting key Docker’s players to stop them playing. 

The Docker’s full-forward and main goal kicker is Matt (“Toggo”) Tognolini.  The Big Game focuses on how Toggo’s friend, Fremantle fan and a player in the South Fremantle Junior Football Club, Greg Lukin, helps to protect Toggo from the people who want to stop him from playing in the finals. 

I enjoyed The Big Game. It has a strong story line and lots of suspense.  I think the topic of Australian Rules football is a good one.  I like playing and watching AFL and liked reading about people who play footy.  I think there should be more novels about Australian Rules football because there are not many.  I think the book would appeal particularly to boys of about seven to fourteen years, especially boys who like AFL. 

The one problem with The Big Game was that the story was not really believable.  I don’t think people would really try to kill or kidnap Australian football players to stop them playing a game, even a final. 

I found The Big Game easy to read and well set out.  The Big Game is really a read alone book because its story line is suited to people who would be able to read it on their own.

Reviewer: Liam, 9, Canberra