Dedications
Gayle For Aunty Beryl Jones, with love Ross
For Genevieve, Nyk and Susan
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Acknowledgement of Country
Oxford University Press acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the many lands on which we create and share our learning resources. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners as the original storytellers, teachers and students of this land we call Australia. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present, for the ways in which they have enabled the teachings of their rich cultures and knowledge systems to be shared for millennia.
Warning to First Nations Australians
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this publication may include images or names of people now deceased.
Mum, can I ask you something?
Sure, Riley. What is it?
chapter 1 Rugby for Riley SAMPLE
My mate Henry’s gunna play rugby league. Can I play too?
Depends. When are the games and when do you practise?
Games are on Sunday mornings.
Practice is after school on Thursdays.
Sunday is the one day of the week that your dad and I can sleep in.
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Besides, you already play soccer and your sister plays netball. We have enough running around to do!
No worries, Mum. Henry’s dad will take us.
And his mum says I can stay over at their house on Saturday nights.
What if Henry’s dad can’t take you one weekend? What will happen then?
Maybe Dad can take us?
Go and ask him. If he says yes, I guess it’s OK with me.
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I’m going to call Henry’s parents first, though, to make sure it’s OK with them as well.
So can I play, Dad?
Can I? Can I?
Alright, son—if Henry’s mum and dad are happy with the arrangement.
They are! Mum’s already checked.
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And as long as I take you guys to games in emergencies only.
Comin’ for a surf?
Nah. Gunna call Henry and tell him I can play.
OK. Cool!
The next day ...
This Thursday Dad’s gunna take us to get signed up and measured for our gear.
Can’t wait.
On Thursday ...
chapter 2 Making the team SAMPLE
Thanks for taking Riley! He’s so excited about playing league.
No probs. Ya never know—we might have another Preston Campbell here. That would be sweet.
You be good now, honey.
Introduce yourselves and then we’ll have a practice game.
This is my cuzzo, Tatum. He’s a deadly player.
OK, time to get out onto the field, boys. Hey. Hey.
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We’re putting together a team of players and a team of reserves. Now, let’s practise. And remember —have fun!
OK, I’ve chosen the players for the first team.
Those of you who aren’t in that team will be in the reserve side.
Every one of you is important and needs to turn up to practice. Alright?
Alright, coach!
… and finally, Tatum Briggs, Henry Roberts and Riley O’Brien will round out the first team.
We all made the team!
So awesome!
Can’t wait to tell Mum and Dad. Fantastic! OK, boys, home time.
That night, at dinner ...
Wait until you see our team gear. We only wear the jerseys at matches. They’ve got the Aboriginal flag on them and they’re black, red and yellow.
I know you’re excited, but try to eat some dinner, eh.
chapter 3 Riley is super-excited SAMPLE
And Tatum is so cool! I can’t wait to start.
I’ll be there to cheer you on at the grand final, little bro.
We all will, son.
Yeah, but don’t get too loud.
Oh, we’ll be really quiet. Not!
Settle down and eat dinner, the pair of you.
Then do the dishes and get to bed, OK?
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Awww, he’s the one carrying on.
Muuummm, Riley’s being rude.
Don’t want to hear about it, honey. Just get the dishes done.
