Did you catch Matildas madness when the national team made it into the top four for the FIFA Women's World Cup?

From Tillies team members Kyah Simon and Karen Menzies, to history-making athletes like Cathy Freeman, Ash Barty, Nicky Winmar and Patty Mills, First Nations athletes have been at the forefront of Australia's sporting successes. But did you know that a version of the round ball game was played by Indigenous Australians in 1857?

This week on Blak Matters, Teela Reid and Michael 'MC' Christian catch up with Emeritus Professor John Maynard to learn more about the surprising link between soccer and our First Nations.

Purchase a copy of Professor Maynard's book, The Aboriginal Soccer Tribe, and listen to our full interview with former Jillaroos' Assistant Coach for the Women's Rugby League World Cup and current Pathways Strategy Manager for the NRL Jessica Skinner here.