Rob Dickson

For more than 100 years, Australian Rules Football has generated a passionate followinf amungst millions of supporters. Those of us wh have been fortunate enough to play the game at the highest level, contuniue to remain the focus of this obsession. For decades we have been loved, hated, worshiped, and abused. It's for this reason, that players past and present representing each of the 16 AFL Clubs, have probided a unique insight into the journey of playing senior football. From the exhilaration of playing that first game, to the heartache of being told your time is up. This is our story.

Channel Seven and former AFL player and football film maker Rob Dickson present an amazing all access look into our unique Australian Game. Hosted and narrated by Nathan Buckley, the Essence of the Game were allowed into the dressing rooms during the entire 2008 season to take a behind the scenes look at what makes football clubs tick, including Hawthorn and Geelong on Grand Final day. The documentary also celebrates the breadth of the game to everything from kids to international teams and what footy means to them. Commissioned by the AFL and Seven to capture the essence of football, this documentary tracks a range of football stories from the elite to the grassroots.