I rise to speak about and welcome the new season of the AFL, which commences tomorrow night with a match between Carlton and Richmond at the MCG, a grand stadium which ranks as one of the best sporting arenas in the world. These two clubs have long been rivals and have fought many battles over the years.

The summer period has been a tumultuous one for the AFL, with clubs, players and player managers under extreme scrutiny for their behaviour. Once the first ball has bounced, many people, particularly club supporters, will forget these issues, though, as they embrace the season proper with a tribal passion like no other in the world. There is no reason why the AFL community cannot learn from this past summer that, as they are an important player in the Australian community, they must continue to strive for standards that are acceptable to the public in general. That being said, the AFL has drawn much criticism, and we see a long list of critics ready to pounce upon the AFL at the slightest misdemeanour, from the media through to people who see themselves as public figures with a need to comment. What we do forget is that the AFL is part of our community and it contributes in many ways that often go unsung. From family participation through Auskick through to the senior AFL ranks, this sport contributes to many charities and causes that the AFL critics always fail to mention.

In 1857 talented cricketer Tom Wills returned from schooling at Rugby School in England. Wills advocated a winter game to keep cricketers fit during the off season and subsequently invented Australian Rules football. The Melbourne Football Club was formed on 7 August 1858, the year of the code’s first recorded match, between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar School. The game meandered along, steadily growing, until major changes in the 1990s brought about the formation of the Australian Football League, a national competition. When Tom Wills founded this great game, he would never have envisioned its popularity and the fantastic contributions it has made to our culture, economy and community.

There have been some memorable moments in the AFL. The first league season of the new millennium began three weeks earlier than usual, with the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games to begin in early September. In round 1, 1970, Richmond and Fitzroy met at the MCG. For the first time league football was played on a Sunday, with the Queen in attendance. In round 2, 1960, an unusual and rare occurrence led to a future great tradition. Due to torrential rain, the round was postponed. To make up the time, two matches were played for the very first time on Anzac Day, while the remainder were played on the following Saturday. But that began the great Australian Anzac Day AFL tradition. In 1950 the decade began with Essendon sensation John Coleman kicking 100 goals for the second successive season. He became the only player ever to kick 100 goals in both his first two seasons of football.

Again, I take this opportunity to congratulate the AFL on another season. I also take this opportunity to mention that my son, Jarrad Irons, is playing with Port Adelaide now, and hopefully he will line up against last year’s premiers, Collingwood, at Etihad Stadium at 2.10 on Saturday afternoon. I will get that news today. But keep a lookout.