It pains me to say this but I feel the film could have done without this, or at least as much detail and Jason McCartney. By all means mention it, but it didn't add anything to the film except running time. I beleive the international release will not have these scenes included.
The setting up scene of the match and broadcast was painful to watch.
Perhaps Oliver did vist McCartney while he was in hospital and it was poignant to show that real heroism does infact happen outside the sporting arenas.
As for the footy, I didn't have a problem with it being in the movie as it was a sub plot with McCarney playing in that game, but would have preferred just shots from the real game and not focusing on Commetti & McGuire.
The biggest problem is that Jason McCartney's story is more compelling than Damien Oliver's.
Well... it was before Oliver's recent scandal, anyway.