They play on a football oval that has rocks the size of half cricket balls and their feet are bare. Out in the Aboriginal community of Cotton Creek in Western Australia, the game is card shark fast and passionate. A few children will be selected to play in front of an Australian Rules Football crowd in Perth and for those who have never set foot on grass or looked up at 40,000 faces this could be an experience with a profound impact.

Football is the life blood for Aboriginal communities providing a sense of achievement and a reason to get together.