Footy players seen in new Focus

IT IS Jimmy Bartel as most have never seen him. Soft, intimate. The black and white image shows a relaxed Bartel, his crisp dinner shirt open, his look thoughtful as he soaks in the smell of leather from the Sherrin football he holds at his nose.

The picture was one of five to preview at the launch of the Focus on Footy photographic exhibition at Crown Casino last week. The free exhibition, celebrating 150 years of Australian football, will open to the public on September 1 and show at Crown’s Atrium throughout the AFL finals series.

Ten Australian photographers were commissioned to capture the game through its fans, well-known Australians, officials and legendary AFL players, past and present.

“It’s definitely an interesting experience,” Bartel said of his photo shoot. “It was a bit of fun. [It was] a bit embarrassing at first, but it’s come up alright,” he said.

The photographers had no brief for the exhibition, and had free reign to add their own artistic flair to the pictures.

“I reckon they’re fantastic, just showing a bit of the other side of football, but also you still get the football theme, so I think they’ve done a good job of it,” Bartel said.

While Bartel was somewhat humbled by his giant portrait, Western Bulldogs player Daniel Giansiracusa – whose photo is yet to be unveiled – said he admired his counterpart’s photo.

“I like that one,” Giansiracusa said. “I think all footballers, when you ask them they tend to for some odd reason smell footballs and the leather and stuff like that. It looks good.”

Giansiracusa said the launch images, including photos of Carlton’s Brendon Fevola, former Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley and Melbourne’s Russell Robertson, showed another side to footballers’ public personas.

But the shot of Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, a mad Bulldogs supporter, was a clear favourite. Gillard, replete in Western Bulldogs attire including a bright blue trench coat and scarf, is featured walking two scarf-clad bulldogs (of the canine description) on leashes. 

“I see she tips us most weeks in the paper,” Giansiracusa said. “I think she’s up there as one of our key ticket holders and a great supporter of the club.”

Focus on Footy, celebrating Australian Football 150 Years, will exhibit at Crown Casino from September 1 to October 5. Admission is free.