Patrick Skene

While no has yet been drafted by an AFL or AFLW team directly from the Chinese football leagues, it is not for lack of trying by many in the AFL. Celestial Footy covers the Chinese history of a uniquely Australian sport, dating back to the gold rush days in Victoria where Chinese miners played Chinese market gardeners to raise money for charity.

Since then, we've seen Wally Koochew, who in 1908 became the first VFL player of Chinese background, and George Tansing, who two weeks later became the second. There are also plenty of others, playing in leagues around Australia who have all added to the great tapestry of Australian rules football.

When I first heard about Celestial Footy I thought that the author would struggle to fill a book about Australian footballers of Chinese descent and I feel I was right as there seemed to be some padding, especially in the later players profiled. I feel it could have been trimmed somewhat and not lost anything in translation.

On the whole though, Celestial Footy is definitely worth seeking out, whether you're a football fan, Chinese, or both.… (mehr)