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The AFL's Indigenous Round - known as Sir Doug Nicholls Round - was played last weekend and played next weekend across Rounds 10 and 11 of the 2024 premiership season.
All 18 AFL clubs will wear specially designed indigenous-themed guernseys that have various symbolism and meaning.
Adelaide Crows (Kuwarna)
The Crows were the first to unveil their Indigenous jersey in mid-March.
It has been crafted by forward Izak Rankine who has worked alongside his cousin, artist Harley Hall, in a celebration of their shared Ngarrindjeri heritage.
Together, the pair have created a powerful and unique guernsey which not only highlights key elements of their culture but also displays Rankine’s journey from growing up in South Australia and moving to the Gold Coast, before returning to Adelaide Oval as a Crow.
Brisbane Lions
A relative of Lions star Charlie Cameron, Lardil woman and Mornington Island artist Renee Wilson, designed the Lions' indigenous jersey.
The guernsey is born from the Lardil phrase, ‘Merri Dilangka’, which for Lardil people means listening to the past, present and moving forward together
Carlton
Carlton defender Zac Williams' cousin Wiradjuri man of the Narrandera Murrumbidgee River People Stewart James designed the Blues' indigenous guernsey.
The artwork name Ngiyanhi [nee-ya-nee], comes from a Wiradjuri word meaning ‘we all’.
The name encompasses the deep connection and sense of belonging and purpose that ‘we all’ feel.
Essendon
Essendon's indigenous guernsey is designed by Tiwi artist Russellina Puruntatameri and is intricately crafted with symbolic elements, embodying the rich culture of the Tiwi community.
Fremantle (Walyalup)
The cousin of Fremantle legend Michael Johnson - Daniel McHenry - designed the Dockers' indigenous jersey.
“It is about the bloodlines, where we come from, and who has paved the path for us young Aboriginal men and women in our families,” Johnson said.
The colours on the design (Red, Green, Purple and White) are all callbacks to the first Fremantle jumper Johnson wore, but also represent Daniel and Michael’s family origins.
Geelong Cats
Designed by Keerray Woorroong and Yorta Yorta woman Sherry Johnstone, Geelon's indigenous guernsey speaks to the importance of looking after our environment and celebrating the unique elements of the Australian landscape that First Nations people have called home for more than 60,000 years.
Gold Coast Suns
The Suns have two Indigenous guernseys - one that will be worn in Round 11 against Carlton at Marvel Stadium and a Darwin/Larrakia jersey that will be worn in Round 10 when they play Geelong in Darwin.
The Darwin/Larrakia guernsey is designed by Larrakia artist Trent Lee and symbolises the iconic sunset at Darwin's Mindil Beach.
Their Indigenous jersey was created by Yugambeh and Bundjalung artists Christine Slabb and Kyle Slabb, and is inspired by Garrara, the language name of a long lagoon that ran south to north along what is today known as the Gold Coast
GWS Giants
Designed by proud Gomeroi man Kayleb Waters, the jumper is called Maaluga Ngarriylanha, which means ‘sitting as one’.
The jumper tells a story of unity and the leadership the GIANTS take in reconciliation and moving forward as one.
Hawthorn
Inspired by Hawthorn premiership player Chance Bateman, the Hawks Indigenous jersey has been created by Whadjuk, Ballardong and Eastern Arrente artist Jade Dolman.
The garment contains a range of intricate and sentimental elements that centre around a Hawk in the centre of the guernsey. The Hawk represents the common ground that is the Hawthorn Football Club.
Melbourne (Naarm)
The design was created by Mali Isabel, an Arabana and Kokatha artist living on Kaurna Country, whose family’s special connection to the Melbourne Football Club is at the core of this year’s jumper.
Mali’s intricate art, centred around a heart, tells the story of her younger brother and passionate Demons fan KC Melbourne Herriman-Place.
After suffering from cardiomyopathy, his first cardiac arrest at just 11 years old, KC received a heart transplant in 2020.
He was on the transplant list for 405 days and on March 16, his life was changed forever.
Bursting with pride for her brother and his resilience through this time, Mali was thrilled to be able to honour KC and his journey in Melbourne’s Indigenous guernsey for 2024.
North Melbourne
The Kangaroos will wear a guernsey designed by Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji and Taungurung artist Emma Bamblett in Rounds 10 and 11.
It will also be worn again when North Melbourne host the Gold Coast Suns in Round 17 to celebrate NAIDOC Week.
The design, titled ‘Kangaroo Way’, was inspired by the club’s First Nations players, including Yorta Yorta man Jy Simpkin and Wangkathaa Noongar man Robert Hansen Jr, the unity of the club and its existence on Wurundjeri Country.
Port Adelaide (Yartapuulti)
Power legend Byron Pickett has designed the team's indigenous guernsey - the Norm Smith medallist in Port Adelaide's 2004 premiership.
The guernsey depicts Pickett’s strong connection to family, to the land, and to the Port Adelaide region, as well as the seven current First Nations Yartapuulti AFL players.
Richmond
Current Richmond player Maurice Rioli Jnr and his mother Alberta Kerinauia have designed the Tigers indigenous guernsey.
The design features two family totems - the turtle (father) and the crocodile (mother) and shows the deep connection between the Rioli family and Richmond.
St Kilda (Euro-Yroke FC)
The Saints will be known as 'Euro-Yroke' across Sir Doug Nicholls Round - which is a Boon Wurrung name.
Euro-Yroke has two indigenous guernseys that will be worn in each of their games in Round 10 and 11.
Both designs were created by proud Wagiman man and Indigenous artist, Nathan Patterson, both of which highlight the story of the Saints’ homeland and those who have contributed to the yawa to-date.
Sydney Swans
Designed by proud Yuin artist Richard Campbell, uncle of former Swan James Bell, the artwork depicts Richard’s totem, Gunyu, the black swan.
The swan’s feathers transform into an elder, Gumaraa, meaning ‘wise old man’.
The Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge represent the present and the future. They are built on Gumaraa’s homelands and are surrounded by the vast waters where he fished.
West Coast Eagles (Waalitj Marawar)
Former Eagles star Chris Lewis has influenced West Coast's Indigenous jersey, which was designed by Yamatji artist Loretta Egan, a lifelong Eagles fan and niece of renowned actor Ernie Dingo.
"The 'Ngularl' is the Wedge-Tailed Eagle in Wajarri language, surrounded by the map of WA - the home of the Eagle - where it stands proud and strong, facing east ready for anything that comes its way," Egan said in an Eagles press release.
"The circle in the centre represents the Eagles' nest. The U-shapes around the circle represent people sitting around the home of the Eagles. The four stars represent the four premierships we have won."The Eagle tracks up the top signify the Eagles players leaving their mark wherever they play. The other circles represent other AFL clubs."
Western Bulldogs
The Bulldogs indigenous jersey design, inspired by the communities and the land in Victoria’s west, was created by Tarni Jarvis, a proud Djab Wurrong, Kirrae Wurrong and Peak Wurrong woman who lives on Wadawurrung country in Ballarat.
For the first time in the club’s history, two guernseys have been created to mark the two-week Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations - a home kit in the usual Bulldogs blue, as well as a clash guernsey that is predominately white.
The traditional hoops have been replaced with riverways, representing the connection between different countries of the west, while the arches at the bottom symbolise mountain ranges, with communities represented alongside. The same riverways can be seen in the background of the design as well.
Courtesy: The Sporting News Photo Courtesy: The Sporting News
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