Past Event

Book Launch: Fabulous Phil by Matt Watson

28th Aug 2017

Presenter: Brolga Publishing
Website: http://brolgapublishing.com.au/
Event Duration: 120 minutes

"Every generation has a player who leaves opponents, coaches and fans slack-jawed and breathless"

Phil Carman was the player of his generation, capable of turning a game in five minutes with inspirational marks and goals.
Carman was the first full-time professional footballer, the fittest player of his era. He played with such ease and grace that success seemed inevitable. But Carman’s temperament was affected by the greatest interstate war the game has ever seen. His individual streak meant the success he craved eluded him.

Carman missed grand finals due to suspension. He clashed with teammates, coaches, fans and infamously head-butted Graham Carbery, a boundary umpire. More than thirty years since Carman played football, he is still remembered as one of the most controversial, single-minded and brilliant footballers in history.

In Fabulous Phil, Carman tells his side of the story, and the men he played with and against tell their side of his story, of what Carman was capable of ...  The book is a fascinating insight into football as it was and will never be again.

About the Author

Matt Watson fell in love with North Melbourne in 1977 when he first pulled on a football jumper at the Oak Park Football Club in Victoria.  He’s been fascinated about football and its history ever since.  In 1978, Matt was one of hundreds of kids who lined the boundary before the VFL grand final, letting helium balloons fly shortly before the bounce.  He’s been to 14 grand finals and turned his love of sport into a passion.  He’s been writing about AFL football, cricket and boxing for decades.  A former ABC journalist, he’s covered sport for ABC Online, the Footy Almanac and other publications.

Matt lives in Brisbane.  His two sons are also members of North Melbourne and the AFL.  Matt spends a lot of time thinking about North Melbourne’s next premiership.  Occasionally he thinks about less important things.

This is his first book.