Terrific low budget Aussie film which really wears its heart on its sleeve. Set in a time of the early 80s when moves were being made to clean up the game, with old thugs like Grub Henderson clinging on to the old ways... the film is sympathetic to his point of view, and though while slimy John Jarratt is a villain, Grub is no pure white hero -rather the future is more Nathaniel Dean and Conrad Coleby, who don't want to become a punch drunk lug but can still admire Grub's loyalty and dedication. The opening football game is so well done with the whiff of realism (dialogue, on-field sledging, eye gouging, smoking at half time) that you can't help wish the budget extended for one at the end (there is still a stirring moment at the end).
Matt Nable has one of the great heads of Aussie cinema - bashed in nose, pug ugly; there are some other great heads, too, like Max Krilich, Tommy Raudonikis, Roy Masters and Tom Kenealley (the latter is spot on as one of those devoted slightly creepy people who work at the front gate).
Matt Johns' involvement helped get the film up so you can perhaps forgive his erratic performance (in some places very good esp when fired up) - but he's too young and fit for the role, which requires someone with more years and sadness (they whack a false gut and glasses on him but it doesn't quite work).
I was initially hostile to Nathaniel Dean and Conrad Coleby as being too Bondi but both work well - Coleby beefed himself up and looks like a player, Dean has three day growth and a cutface and plays a show pony player so he's appropriate anyway. (the kid who plays young Grub is poor casting - he looks way too wimpy).
It's a shame there wasn't a bit more humour and the potential of some key scenes - notably the climax and the judicial hearing - feels a little lacking. But all things considered a remarkable achievement and is a truly strong league film.
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