Timely, in more ways than one, we are introduced to Theo Bestavros – determined to redeem himself after a failed game-winning moment – and Jake Cunningham – a fan-favourite and headline-maker, with no intention of being the first out queer player. This expertly plotted friends-to-lovers romantic comedy is layered, poignant, and the most exhilarating read of the year.
Green can catch the reader’s attention and draw them into a budding-romance we all want to see – not just in the AFL mediascape. They also write with such authenticity, especially around the themes of mental health, anxiety, and familial expectations, that 'After The Siren' is a therapeutic read for everyone. The book truly tackles the line between professionalism, self-identity, and life in the spotlight.
The book dips in and out of epistolary elements (showcasing news clippings and text messages) and does a strong account of the forced-proximity and enemies-to-lovers tropes, while also reading like a fully-fledged Netflix original series (fingers crossed, to be honest).
Visually this book looks like a Young Adult tale, not unlike 'Heartstopper', but once you get into the meat and bones of the story, it reads more like 'Fourth Wing' – be sure to be in a cool room as you read, it gets spicy!
'After The Siren', whether by happenstance or artfully curated timing, comes after the controversy surrounding Adelaide Crows players and management. Reflected in the story is the impact that quiet management has on players, and how destructive phrasing like “why do you have to bring that into AFL” impacts fans and athletes alike.
I recently came across a video online about similar topics in AFL, where a woman said “the fish stinks from the head” – and Green does a deft job in showcasing this mindset within 'After The Siren', through the individual perspectives of Bestavros and Cunningham.
While reading 'After The Siren', a recent quote by Mitch Brown, recently announced (and proud) bisexual player from West Coast Eagles, came to mind: “Empathy is power”. Green is able to convey both these elements through Bestavros and Cunningham in a truly inspirational way.
There's the sad notion that, if the world even remotely reflected the Falcons team in any way, I’d probably choose to be an AFL fan myself – the acrid underbelly of that community has seeped out in recent years, and has really tarnished a game built by non-profits that preach 'community', and have done nothing to assist queer players, or even build a safe place for ally players.
In Green’s dedication they say, “this book is for all the queer stories I found a home in, before I knew I was looking for one”. I can honestly say that 'After The Siren' has become one of those stories for me, and I look forward to more works by them.
