UNITING people from all walks of life, football has the unique ability to bring communities together.
These sentiments not only epitomise the theme of Carlton’s inaugural ‘Common Ground’ game, but also a new Australian comedy called The Merger.
Set in the rural town of Bodgy Creek, the film follows the story of former professional footballer Troy Carrington – played by Damian Callinan – who returns home and begins coaching the local footy team. To help the club survive, he devises an unorthodox plan to recruit refugees from the Regional Support Centre, eliciting heartwarming moments and plenty of laughs.
The Merger is set to elicit heartwarming moments and plenty of laughs.
To celebrate Carlton’s inaugural Common Ground game and the upcoming release of the film, every conferee taking part in Carlton’s citizenship ceremony on game day will receive a double pass to see the movie.
The notion of welcoming new Australians and promoting cultural inclusion is not the only thing Common Ground and The Merger have in common, with a number of cast and crew devoted Carlton fans – including lead actor Fayssal Bazzi (who plays Sayyid) and director Mark Grentell.
Although Grentell grew up in NSW, there was no escaping family tradition.
“Even though I was born in regional NSW, which is a heartland for Collingwood and Swans supporters, I’m a born and bred Bluebagger – my dad followed Carlton and it was an alliance I fully embraced,” Grentell said.
“I grew up playing AFL in country areas, on hard, dusty grounds with sheep in the paddock next door and on cold nights I trained in a Carlton jumper to make me feel like 'SOS' (Stephen Silvagni),” he joked.
“The tradition continues in my family; my son Jude is a Carlton supporter. I wanted to call him Judd, but my wife rightfully resisted.
“Through thick and thin, I am a Carlton supporter and nothing will ever shake me.”
Mark Grentell and his son Jude meet Patrick Cripps during open training at Adelaide Oval.
Look out for a sneak peek on game day, with a short trailer of The Merger to be shown on the big screen.
The Merger will premiere at the Melbourne International Film Festival on Wednesday 11 August, before its national release across Australia on Tuesday 28 August.
