The Warriors,
9.30pm, Wednesday, ABC
A long time ago a young Kiwi actor made a name for himself playing an AFL footballer in a very famous Australian movie.
The movie was The Club, the actor was John Howard. Fast forward almost 40 years and John is back at a footy club again, this time on television – ABC to be exact – and while I’m not suggesting this is in the same league, it’s a clever and ironic piece of casting – much like the show itself.
Now Howard is president of a struggling AFL club (another one) that changes its name to bring in more fans. Known as the Warriors after a club in the Kimberley it’s hoped that it’s fortunes will finally turn – if only the players can find their way out of the underbelly of the ’G for their first press conference.
Seen through the eyes of Kimberley man Mackie (played by Broome teenager Gordon Churchill) and two other new recruits along with their “mentor” Doc (who wouldn’t be anyone’s first choice to mentor anyone) the show explores the world of professional sport.
All the players are on a wild ride teetering between temptation and expectations and may not even eventually make it out on the the MCG for their first game.
Howard, Lisa McCune (as the media officer) and Vince Colosimo (coach) add some experience to the cast of mostly unknown actors.
The show is the brainchild of Tony Briggs (The Sapphires) and Robert Connolly (Paper Planes, Barracuda).
– Tania Phillips
