Harper is a Torres Strait Islander boy himself and says his family travels nearly yearly to remote communities in the north. Hope Vale children have gottten new boots and jerseys.

A record number of Victorian kids are pulling on the boots, with the AFL expecting footy club registrations to soar past last year’s record 223,000 players. The AFL expects footy club ...

Jaxon 10yrs and Cooper 14yrs with neighbour Tony Rugari 44yrs (m) from Enfield who secretly entered the boys into winning Jack Soligo from the Crows footy boots. Picture: Emma Brasier.

A record number of Victorian kids are pulling on the boots, with the AFL expecting footy club registrations to soar past last year’s record 223,000 players. The AFL expects footy club ...