The Chosen Few, the new AFL Media-produced documentary from Peter Dickson, lays bare the philosophies, the sacrifices, the tactics, the isolation and the emotional highs and lows associated with coaching at the game’s elite level.
For the first time an unparalleled roll call of the game’s best coaches lift the lid on coaching in the AFL via unprecedented behind the scenes access.
Some of the game’s biggest names, including past and present Premiership coaches Leigh Matthews, Ron Barassi, John Longmire, Michael Malthouse, Alastair Clarkson, Kevin Sheedy, John Kennedy Snr, Paul Roos, Dennis Pagan and David Parkin provide a brutally honest account of the personal and professional challenges facing AFL coaches.
The Chosen Few details the inner workings of an AFL club with Collingwood’s Nathan Buckley and former Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson granting extraordinary behind the scenes access before, during and after their Round 9 2014 Toyota AFL Premiership match earlier this year.
AFL Media writer, producer and director Peter Dickson was given total access to each coach and compiled this series of riveting interviews over a six month period.
AFL Media General Manager, Peter Campbell, said The Chosen Few documentary was a candid, emotional look into the lives of AFL coaches.
“Not only does this documentary reveal unprecedented access to some of the biggest names in Australian football, it takes the viewer right inside the coaches’ minds and shows you a previously unseen side to some of the most influential figures in the game,” Mr Campbell said.
“You’re not going to see a more comprehensive account of past and present AFL coaches, everything is covered here, from coaches being sacked and the evolution of coaching strategies, to the role of family and the responsibility of mentoring the country’s best young athletes.
“Peter Dickson is one of our game’s great story tellers and his ability to procure open and honest insights from his subjects is second to none.
“We thank the coaches and the AFL Coaches Association for making themselves available while managing the stresses and strains of an AFL season and particularly for their willingness to provide the public with such a rare look at what it’s like to negotiate such a coveted yet demanding occupation.”
The Chosen Few features interviews and behind the scenes access with the following coaches and their families: Ron Barassi, Nathan Buckley, Leon Cameron, Alastair Clarkson, Neil Craig, Danny Frawley, Damien Hardwick, Ken Hinkley, John Kennedy Snr, Justin Leppitsch, John Longmire, Ross Lyon, Michael Malthouse, Guy McKenna, Brendan McCartney, Leigh Matthews, Denis Pagan, David Parkin, Alan Richardson, Paul Roos, Brenton Sanderson, Brad Scott, Chris Scott, Kevin Sheedy, Adam Simpson, Michael Voss, Scott Waters and John Worsfold.
The Chosen Few was written, produced and directed by Peter Dickson from AFL Media.
The Chosen Few airs in Sydney on Friday, September 26 at 10.30pm on 7mate.
