From the Outer

Engaging and surprising,From the Outershows how footy can both thrill and devastate, exclude and unite, by shining a light on the diversity and splendour of the game.

A celebration of our great game, From​ the Outer brings together 30 personal stories about Aussie Rules from unexpected voices- those who are female, Indigenous or gay; those with a disability, a foreign accent or even – perhaps most dubious of all – literary leanings. Some are closet fans, some are out and proud. Many are ground-breaking and revolutionary, shaking up the institution that has dominated cultural life in Melbourne, and much of Australia, for generations. Some are actively involved in the game, such as Leila Gurruwiwi, panellist on Australia’s first all-Indigenous footy show; Angela Pippos, one of Australia’s first female sports commentators; and Jason Tuazon-McCheyne, founder of the LGBTI supporter group the Purple Bombers. Others, like Christos Tsiolkas, Sophie Cunningham, Tony Birch and Alice Pung, share their poignant, passionate experiences as spectators and supporters. Engaging and surprising, From the Outer shows how footy can both thrill and devastate, exclude and unite, by shining a light on the diversity and splendour of the game.

Author Biography

When Nicole Hayes isn’t yelling at the Hawks on TV or sharing hosting duties on the all-female AFL podcast, The Outer Sanctum, she teaches writing and writes fiction, essays and scripts. Her debut novel, The Whole of My World, was published in 2013 and was shortlisted for a Young Australians Best Book Award and longlisted for the Gold Inky Award. One True Thing, Nicole’s second novel, won the Children’s Peace Literature Award, is a CBCA Notable Book and was shortlisted for the WA Premier’s Book Awards. She has also co-edited an anthology of footy stories, From the Outer- Footy Like You’ve Never Heard It, with Alicia Sometimes. Nicole lives in Melbourne with her husband, two daughters and a dog called Brody. Say hi at nicolehayesauthor.com or tweet @nichmelbourne.