Media Portrayal 
 Amelia McMahon

The media and the media's portrayal of racial groups, like Indigenous Australians, is a key component of contemporary living. The Australian Football League (AFL)is a large, widely recognized influential business in Australia with involvement from all races, including Indigenous Australians. This makes the AFL a key contributor to the media's portrayal of Indigenous people and Indigenous contemporary living.

The Marngrook footy show on the Australian Broadcasting Channel (ABC) is a strong example of a positive portrayal and the strong influence that the AFL has on the contemporary lives of Indigenous Australians. The marngrook footy show is one of Australia's most popular football programs on Australian televison. The show was initially a concept developed by host, Grant Hansen, a former Melbourne radio announcer. Hansen was dismayed in the lack  of Indigenous football commentators in the Australian media industry. 

The show originally began as a radio program but its immediate popularity saw it blossom into what it is today. The show now consists of many Indigenous hosts including; Grant Hansen, Gilbert McAdam, Ronnie Burns, Leila Gurruwiwi, Shelley Ware and Chris 
Johnson.

The weekly show consists of thorough analysis of football issues, detailed roundups of the weekly football games with a strong emphasis on Indigenous players. The show also provides historical context as they pay tribute to former Indigenous players and pioneers of the game and their important involvement in shaping AFL. 

2012 saw the move of the community-based Marngrook Radio Show to commercial radio, with a switch to popular Melbourne radio station, SEN1116. This show incorporate both Indigenous players and non-Indigenous players, as well as Indigenous female football commentators.

The efforts of those involved in both the Marngrook footy show and the Marngrook Radio Show are pivotal in contributing to contemporary Indigenous life. Not only is television and radio a contemporary approach to communicating with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of all ages, the shows themselves involve a wide range of people and personalities. This allows for people to engage with the mix of personalities and also feel that various, unbiased opinions are being presented to the audience . 

The positive role that these shows are evident amongst the community as praise and discussion about the show is widespread. 

"Love your show...the only AFL footy show on tv worth watching...I love the natural way the show comes through" - Wayne

Therefore, the media and media portrayal of AFL and Indigenous people within AFL is important aspect in the contemporary lives of Indigenous people.