I write for children. It’s what I do and it’s what I love to do. So imagine my surprise when I was asked to write a chapter for a book for adults. Then imagine my amazement when told that the subject was Australian Rules Football. Sure, I love my team (the Dockers) but can’t even name every player. Sure I love to watch footy – especially if the Dockers are playing – but my knowledge of the game is general at best.

But I was asked, and I have a rule that when I’m asked to write or speak (the two things I do to make my living) I say yes whenever possible. So before I could stop and think too hard I say yes to contributing a chapter about heartfelt moments in AFL from the perspective of a Fremantle Dockers supporter.

It took a while to figure out what to say, but then I realised that I’m always talking about the Dockers – even at school visits, and that it was my passion the editors were after, not my knowledge. So I sat down and wrote my chapter (and rewrote it) and sent it off, wondering if it would make the final cut.

Then, today, a parcel arrived in the mail, with contributor copies of Heartfelt Moments in Australian Rules Football. I’ve seen my name on books before, but seeing it on the front of a footy book made me smile. And looking at the list of fellow contributors – many of whom know much, much more about footy than I do – made me smile even more.

So what’s my chapter about? In a nutshell, it’s about how being a Dockers supporter is about living in hope. Which isn’t too bad a way to live at all.