The Game they Play in Prison

By the Inside Man

“All prisoners be advised there will be a football match on the oval this afternoon.  Saints versus Tigers.  I repeat Saints versus Tigers.   Shoes and ID Tags must be worn at all times.”

The PA system booms out to raucous cheers from all across the cell block.

“Go the Saints…………..Go the Tigers……………Jamma Jamma (footy) time.”

Today’s match is set to be a ripper, with both sides battling for a spot in the Grand Final.  Ours is a 4 team competition of Hawks, Dogs, Saints and Tigers.

Our arena is a half oval.  The surface is littered with potholes that have already claimed several inmates’ ankles as trophies this season.  Patches of weedy grass provide little cushioning from the hard compacted North Western red dirt.   But as far as we are concerned the field is as good as the MCG on a September afternoon.

The half oval is walled by high fences of razor wire with multiple CCTV cameras focussed on the area of “no man’s land” just outside the boundary lines.  Beyond the tall prison fences and against a spinifex-lined horizon, you can just make out the vehicles travelling along the North West Coastal Highway.

Another world.  A distant freedom.

Being a half oval, the prison has its own unique set of rules governing play.  There’s only one set of goal posts, so the ball-up begins in the opposite corner.  As play progresses towards the goal any turnover results in instant attacking possession for the opposition, regardless of field position.  This means a player can go from defending inside his 50 to kicking a major in the blink of an eye.

Although unconventional, these rules make for a fast-paced and high scoring game with plenty of opportunities for turning the (very) average criminal into today’s footy hero.

In preparation for the numerous “lost” balls sent flying over the first security fence, there are two large bags of Sherrins emptied out near the ball up corner.  Inmates have swapped their prison ‘greens’ for the singlets of their AFL Legends – Richmond and St Kilda.

The camaraderie and passion amongst the lads is moving.  Regardless of race, age, beliefs or the actions that brought them here, they all meet on the footy field as mates with a common goal – to do their team proud.

A whistle sounds and under the watchful eye of the patrolling officers the match gets underway.  Tigers dominate the first term with several quick plays and a few questionable turnovers.  An inmate known affectionately as “Shorty” shows that what he lacks in height he more than makes up for in elusiveness.  He produces a mesmerising run, going from the ball-up to deep inside 50, untouched.

“Kick it you prick,” his teammates plead.  Finally relenting to this stern advice from his captain, “Shorty” lines up a sitter but misses for an unworthy single point.  First quarter and the Tigers have their whiskers in front – 34 to 26.

The second quarter begins in controversy.  Saints take possession with a high flying hanger mark deep inside 50.  The stocky Saints ruckman lines up his kick from a tough angle out near the sideline, and the resulting effort on goal is a ripper.  What makes it more impressive is the forced choice of sporting footwear – prison issue shoes – or “foot bricks” as we call them.

The ball appears to curl high around the goal post for six points, but the goal umpire (an injured Tigers player), has different ideas and signals a behind.  A standoff ensues and the officers are preparing to stop the game when a well-respected old-timer inmate steps in and puts an end to the argument.

“Come on fellas stop fucking about.”  Blunt but effective.  Saints build on their early quarter momentum to lead 60-48 at half time.

It’s the third term and the game is still being played at breakneck speed.  The competition around the rucks is ferocious with plenty of big hits and not many penalties – that’s prison rules.  Scoring has slowed considerably and both teams struggle with accuracy on goal after putting so much effort into their tackling.  The ¾ time score is 70 apiece, setting the scene for a cracking final quarter.

Playing footy on the oval is a privilege, and in prison you make the most of earned privileges.  Both sides are still full of energy in the final spell, making the most of their 80 minutes of sporting ‘freedom’.

In the final minutes of the match an inmate known as “Thumper” smashes a long range effort, giving the Saints a one goal advantage.  The Saints reserve bench pleads with the Recreation Officer to blow the full-time whistle, but ball-up is the call.  Can the Tigers work a miracle?  Tigers have possession and work the ball down the eastern flank.  “Push up.”  “Give him options.”

In a panic a Tigers midfielder takes a mark outside the 50 and opts for a long range attempt at glory.  “Final play,” the Rec Officer yells.  The inmate gives it everything but sadly the kick drifts away for a behind and the Saints seal a nail-biter 96-91.

A high pitched siren sounds calling us back inside the main prison area.  Inmates are leaving the field with their heads held high.  For 80 minutes they were kings of the oval.  Footy having forged a brotherhood in the most unlikely of places.