Equal the Contest follows the Mt Alexander Falcons football club, a new community level club created in 2021 by and for, women and gender diverse people. The story follows non-binary person Mitch, a new recruit and filmmaker, and provides the viewer with an immersive experience of community football, seeing the game as it's never been seen before from the perspective of their body. 

Despite fulfilling all the requirements of a new club, The Falcons have their application rejected by AFL Central Victoria and they begin a public fight garnering support from all levels of community, local media and AFL HQ itself. The club forges forward despite their exclusion, attracting players from diverse backgrounds and building a club culture of inclusion that challenges the traditions of AFL. 

While the executive committee works behind the scenes to fight an age old system entrenched in gender inequality, many players learn aspects of the game like kicking and tackling, and also challenge their own gendered expectations that have held them back throughout life. Along the way, Mitch discover's the 1948 Castlemaine Woollen Mill Women's football team. It's last surviving member, 93 year old Mavis Thompson's experiences playing football mirror the struggles of Mitch and the Falcons. 

Equal the Contest is a case study for current day gender inequality, highlighting the challenges still faced by women and gender diverse people who simply want to play football. Tension builds as, one year later, the club once again applies for inclusion into the league. Will they finally be accepted to play?