Footy Legends was released in Australia in September 2006. It is the first Australian movie to my knowledge that has extensive footage of rugby league. The movie stars Khoa Do, who also directed and produced the movie. Alongside him, are Angus Sampson, Emma Lung and Claudia Karvan. Included in the movie are Matty Johns and Andrew Voss, who are NRL commentators.

The movie is set in Sydney's west side, around Balmain. It is about a young Vietnamese man who is obsessed with rugby league. As a boy, he was an excellent player, and dreamed of becoming a professional. However, those dreams never became reality. After his mother died, he is forced to take care of his younger sister. He finds it hard going, and welfare authorities step in to the picture when they find out he is battling to find work.

Not having any luck finding work and struggling to keep his sister, he finds out about a rugby league tournament to be held in his home town. He talks to his former school mates who played rugby league with him about the idea of joining. They start training hard and they make it to the final of the Holden Cup, as the tournament is called.

What meets them in the final is a sight which would make any amateur player cry. Or fill them with adrenaline. They meet former professional rugby league players in the final! What will happen? With the whole stadium cheering on the local team, will they be able to overcome the former pros? Everything is on the line for the Vietnamese man. If his team don't win, he won't get a job at Lowes (the winning team get a job and a Holden Ute) and he will lose his sister to welfare.

In my opinion, this was an excellent movie, which dealt with family matters, social matters, and of course, rugby league. It might not be a movie with a Hollywood budget, but this Australian movie totally rocks! 10 out of 10.

Note: This dvd can not be purchased in the UK, but may be purchased from Australian dvd shops, like Devoted DVD or Ezydvd for about 30 dollars (12 pounds).

Review by Justin Ryan (September 2007)