Making Their Mark

Making Their Mark is an Australian sports documentary series that first premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2021. The seven-episode series presents a gripping behind-the-scenes look at Aussie Rules Football during the 2020 season of the Australian Football League (AFL). The show, whilst focusing on AFL, is more than merely a sports documentary; it's an honest portrayal of the human spirit, resilience, teamwork, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

The story unfolds in a dramatic 2020 season particularly emblematic due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which posed unprecedented challenges both on and off the field. It’s a season that was unusual to say the least, with matches played in empty stadiums, players and staff isolated in bio-secure bubbles, and the game’s very survival hanging by a thread. Making Their Mark captures this tension and the AFL world's adaptation to this unique environment.

The narrative weaves deeply personal and vulnerable journeys of individuals from six teams from across Australia, including Nic Naitanui from West Coast Eagles, Stuart Dew from the Gold Coast Suns, Rory Sloane from the Adelaide Crows, Eddie Betts from the Carlton Blues, Stephen Coniglio from the Greater Western Sydney Giants, and Peggy O'Neal from the Richmond Tigers. Viewers are given an all-access pass to their highs and lows, drawing them into the heart of AFL like never before.

Nic Naitanui, considered one of the game’s most exciting players, is illustrated not only as an athlete but as a person in resurrection, dealing with the pressure of performance and grieving a personal loss. Stuart Dew is depicted as the under-pressure coach of the Gold Coast, struggling but determined to turn around the fortunes of the underperforming team. Rory Sloane, the Adelaide captain, takes us into his life, grappling with a challenging team situation and personal hardship.

Seasoned player Eddie Betts brings into focus the integral conversation around race, as he shares his experience of dealing with racism during his long career. Stephen Coniglio, in his role as the first-year captain of the Greater Western Sydney Giants, showcases the weight of responsibility and the burden of leading a team, particularly when the team’s season isn't going as hoped.

Peggy O’Neal, the chairwoman of the Richmond Tigers, the reigning premiers, presents the perspective of the people working behind the scenes. Her journey gives viewers a glimpse into the complexities of club management and its significant role, especially in a critical season.

Making Their Mark is unique in its approach — the filmmakers have realised that sports documentaries succeed when the audience sees athletes as humans first and sports people second. The series balances the power, intensity and roughness of the game with intimate moments of vulnerability, introspection, and emotion. It is packed with the action of AFL, with hard tackles, strategic play, and stirring comebacks. But it is equally filled with scenes of tender interactions with families, heart-to-heart talks between teammates, and rallies of motivational speeches in locker rooms.

The series is beautifully shot and edited, technically masterful with its choice of camera angles and background scores that create an engaging audience experience. It excels in delivering an up-close and personal view into the otherwise elusive world of professional AFL, capturing sweat-drenched faces, strategies on whiteboards, celebrations in locker rooms, and quiet momenŧs of camaraderie.

What sets Making Their Mark apart is its rawness and authenticity. It not only scrutinizes the physical and emotional demands of the game but also those of life—the triumphs, tribulations, and moments of resilience that culminate in personal growth and unity under stressful conditions. The series leaves viewers with the fundamental message about sport: It's about far more than the final score. It’s about the journey, the growth, the unity, and the resilience of human spirit.

Making Their Mark is a compelling watch for AFL fans seeking to understand their favorite teams and players a little more intimately. However, it also has a lot to offer viewers from outside the AFL world or even outside the sports world, because it is a candid narrative about ordinary individuals steering their way through extraordinary circumstances, powered by grit, passion, and determination.