Sir Doug Nicholls Round: Every AFL jumper and their stories for Indigenous Round

West Australian

14-05-2025

As the AFL celebrates its 10th annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round, we look through the deadly designs for each club's Indigenous jumpers and the stories they tell.
KUWARNA (ADELAIDE)
Known as Kuwarna for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Crows will wear a guernsey designed by former player and Wirangu man Graham Johncock alongside Wirangu artist Aunty Christine Tschuna.
The design tells Johncock's family and football story, including growing up on the west coast of South Australia to being drafted by the Crows. Past and present Indigenous players are also represented by symbols on the jumper.
BRISBANE
Premiership forward Callum Ah Chee's family, led by his eldest brother Jordan, have designed Brisbane's guernsey.
The jumper represents Ah Chee's journey to the Lions and includes references to the Kimberley region in Western Australia, where he was born. The design also represents places, stories and people that have a connection to the Lions.
CARLTON
Carlton's guernsey was designed by Yorta Yorta siblings and founders of Bayadherra, Luke and Siena Tieri and pays homage to their ancestry. The three central lines in the design represent the Blues' Indigenous players past, present and emerging.
COLLINGWOOD
Collingwood's Indigenous guernsey is designed by First Nations artist Lisa Thorpe, a woman from multiple Clans and Nations across Victoria, and inspired by her art piece 'Wooroongi Biik', meaning
'
Lore of the Land
'
.
According to the club, the design symbolises unity of the Boonwurrung Baluk (people) to Biik (Country), 'much like the Magpie Army to Collingwood.'
ESSENDON
Two school students are behind Essendon's Sir Doug Nicholls Round jumper, which will be worn for the Dreamtime game at the MCG.
Lucas Waddleton, a Tyerrernotepanner student from Northern Tasmania, and Lawson Richards, a non-Indigenous student, designed the jumper, which represents the unity of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people coming together.
WALYALUP (FREMANTLE)
Known as Walyalup for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Dockers' Indigenous jumper was designed by one of the most talented small forwards in the club's history.
Jeff Farmer - alongside his Father Jeff Farmer Snr, Mother Iris and in collaboration with Roger Hayden - designed the guernsey to pay tribute to Farmer's football journey and the history of Indigenous people in the Great Southern of WA.
GEELONG
Lawson Humphries' sister Meeza is behind Geelong's Indigenous guernsey this year, which depicts a day in the West Kimberleys of WA, where the pair are traditionally from.
The design, titled 'Saltwater Stories', is deeply connected to their family history and Lawson's journey to the AFL.
GOLD COAST
The Indigenous jumper Gold Coast will wear for the second time in Darwin on Thursday is designed by local artist Keelan Fejo and is inspired by one of the city's most scenic viewing locations, the Nightcliff Jetty.
The Suns also wore it last week against Western Bulldogs. Gold Coast will wear a design first worn in 2024 for the club's meeting with St Kilda in round 11.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Designed last year by Gomeroi man Kayleb Waters, the Giants' jumper tells a story of unity and the leadership the Giants take in reconciliation and moving forward as one.
The club wore a charcoal version of the guernsey for last year's Sir Doug Nicholls Round but have launched a new white edition for 2025.
HAWTHORN
Hawthorn's Indigenous guernsey has been designed by Noongar and Yamatji man and the club's Indigenous Player Development Manager, Jamie Bennell.
The design is centered around a Hawk in the middle of the guernsey, which symbolises power and strength with an eye for hunting down prey and protecting its nest.
NARRM (MELBOURNE)
Known as Narrm for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Demons' Indigenous jumper was created by Kysaiah Pickett's father and Ngarrindjeri artist, Kevin.
The design captures Kevin and Kozzy's connection to their Ngarrindjeri culture, while also showcasing their love of the club, and features the names of all of the club's Indigenous past and present players.
NORTH MELBOURNE
North's design was inspired by Senior Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO and brought to life by Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji and Taungurung artist Emma Bamblett.
The artwork is titled 'walert morrok goattak', which means possum skin cloak in Woi Wurrung language.
YARTAPUULTI (PORT ADELAIDE)
Known as Yartapuulti for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, both the AFL and AFLW sides will wear the same jumper for the first time, designed by Gavin Wanganeen.
The striking design features a teal stripe sits at the centre of the guernsey and represents the Kokatha people's strong connection to to country, the night sky, and stories in the stars.
RICHMOND
Richmond's jumper was designed by Rhyan Mansell, his father Brett and grandfather Clyde, and tells their story and the story of their Country, lumaranatana down to larapuna, and will be worn for the Dreamtime game at the MCG.
Among other details, the hand prints on the back of the guernsey represent Richmond players having each other's backs, on and off the field.
EURO-YROKE (ST KILDA)
Known as Euro-Yroke for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Saints' guernsey was designed by star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera and tells the story of his upbringing and football journey in South Australia.
It also represents his journey to Moorabbin, with surrounding motifs signifying the club's current First Nations players.
SYDNEY
Sydney's new Marn Grook guernsey has been adapted from the work of renowned Indigenous artist Jordan Ardler.
The artwork reflects the Swans community and is an acknowledgement of the Gadigal and Bidiagal lands. It also depicts the journey from South Melbourne to Sydney.
WAALITJ MARAWAR (WEST COAST)
Known as Waalitj Marawar for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Eagles' jumper was designed by Wongutha man Kevin Wilson and Maduwongga and Noongar woman Taryn Woods.
The design highlights the importance of family and connection, featuring totems of each of the club's First Nations players' families, along with several connections to the club.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs' guernsey is designed by Kamilya Lowana White, an Aboriginal artist born and raised in Naarm with Kija Bardi heritage.
The design features six panels, one of which represents all players at the club through 132 people symbols, as well as 100 white dots to recognise the Bulldogs' 100th anniversary in the VFL/AFL.