Gulpa gaka! Welcome! Let’s play and run!
My name is Jahleel. Come join the fun!
Follow Jahleel and his team as they play in the annual AFL Indigenous Round. Learn about how Indigenous culture and AFL come together in this important event named after Yorta Yorta player, Sir Doug Nicholls.
The day begins with a smoking ceremony, and then it’s kick-off time.
Jahleel and his team experience all the highs and lows of the game as they run, jump and catch the ball in an impressive ‘specky.’ The team feel proud wearing Nan’s design on their guernseys and keep going even when they start to feel tired.
The rhyming text is lively and energetic and would make a great read-aloud in a classroom or library setting. The glossary at the end of the book provides plenty of interesting history and additional information about the annual event.
Janelle Burger’s illustrations beautifully capture the energy and fun of the game. The facial expressions on the children are full of determination and delight. She has cleverly included many familiar aspects of local sporting events such as the tuckshop and the cars parked along the boundary.
AFL legends Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin also appear in the book as inspirations to Jahleel in both his culture and his footy.
When the final siren sounds, the match is over, but Jahleel’s love of footy and pride in his culture lives on.
Title: My Dreamtime Match
Author: Jacinta Daniher and Taylor Hampton
Illustrator: Janelle Burger
Publisher: Lothian, $24.99
Publication Date: 28 April 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780734423443
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
