Latest news with #DreamtimeattheG
The Age
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
AFL 2025 LIVE updates: Essendon Bombers, Richmond Tigers prepare for Dreamtime at the G
Go to latest Pinned post from 6.08pm Pre-game schedule The schedule for tonight's Dreamtime at the G events as per Essendon's media team. Key Timings 3pm – The Long Walk Naarm Festival (Birrarung Marr Hilltop) 5.30pm – MCG gates open 5.30pm – The Long Walk to the MCG commences from Birrarung Marr 6.15pm – The Long Walkers enter the arena 7pm – Dreamtime Pre-Game performance begins 7.28pm – Essendon enters the field 7.35pm – Pre-Game ceremony 7.45pm – First bounce Gift Exchange Before the first bounce at Dreamtime at the 'G, Essendon and Richmond will both partake in a gift exchange. Our Dreamtime gift exchange is The Roo Skin; this will be the first time in our history the Roo Skin has been gifted for a Dreamtime at the 'G gift exchange. With assistance from Ricky Baldwin, a Gunai Kurnai artist, the Roo skin has been wood burned, and hand painted with Ochre from Lake Tyers State Park on Krauatungalung Country (Gunai Kurnai). Alwyn Davey, Jade Gresham and Jack Peris all contributed to the design and art on the skin, and t he meaning behind the gift runs deep with themes of protection, unity and heading into the match. Dance Ceremony | Will Shake Spears Will Shake Spears began as a small group of Koori youth coming together to learn and carry culture. Entertainment | Briggs Adam Briggs, a Yorta Yorta man and passionate Dons supporter, is a prominent Indigenous Australian artist known for his work in hip-hop, comedy, and writing. First Bounce Countdown | Didgeridoo played by Lachie Hill Lachie Hill, proud Yorta Yorta man and lifelong Bomber's supporter, will be playing the Didgeridoo as the clock counts down to the first bounce for Dreamtime at the 'G. 6.30pm Richmond star to make rare VFL appearance Richmond are hoping a conservative approach through the VFL will help premiership midfielder Dion Prestia finally overcome his tortured run with soft-tissue injuries. Instead of returning in the Tigers' Dreamtime clash with Essendon at the MCG on Friday night, Prestia will make his comeback in Frankston when he plays two quarters against the Bombers' VFL side. After being restricted to 13 games last year, the 32-year-old is yet to play a game this season following an achilles injury. But Richmond coach Adem Yze believes the club has learnt valuable lessons on how to manage their star veteran. 'There always is, with the talent he's got and the leadership he provides,' Yze said of the temptation to bring Prestia straight back into the AFL. 'Last year, you could see how important he was when he came in and we probably did it the wrong way and he missed six weeks. We've got to learn from that. 'If he gets through, he'll be available the week after. 'We're playing the long game with him. 'I'm not sure the last time he's played VFL, but he's bought into that.' During Prestia's absence, the triple premiership player has taken a great interest in mentoring Tigers young guns Sam Lalor and Josh Smillie. Rebuilding Richmond have defied grim pre-season predictions to already win three games this year. Despite Essendon coming off a 91-point smashing by Western Bulldogs last Saturday night, the Bombers will start as warm favourites to beat the Tigers. Richmond will be without captain Toby Nankervis (managed), veteran forward Tom Lynch (concussion), star defender Noah Balta (court-imposed curfew) and former best-and-fairest winner Jayden Short (calf). Samson Ryan is back to take on ruck duties, with Maurice Rioli Jnr and Campbell Gray also recalled. 'We're going to be a really young side, on a big stage, which is an awesome opportunity,' Yze said. 'I sat in the forward line meeting and it felt like I was in a creche. 'It's hard to fill Lynchy's shoes ... they've just got to share the load. 'They're young but it will be exciting.' Essendon's Jade Gresham and Matt Guelfi are back from injuries and hard-running teen defender Angus Clarke will debut on the big stage. Dylan Shiel, Saad El-Hawli and Archer Day-Wicks have been dropped. AAP 6.08pm Pre-game schedule The schedule for tonight's Dreamtime at the G events as per Essendon's media team. Key Timings 3pm – The Long Walk Naarm Festival (Birrarung Marr Hilltop) 5.30pm – MCG gates open 5.30pm – The Long Walk to the MCG commences from Birrarung Marr 6.15pm – The Long Walkers enter the arena 7pm – Dreamtime Pre-Game performance begins 7.28pm – Essendon enters the field 7.35pm – Pre-Game ceremony 7.45pm – First bounce Gift Exchange Before the first bounce at Dreamtime at the 'G, Essendon and Richmond will both partake in a gift exchange. Our Dreamtime gift exchange is The Roo Skin; this will be the first time in our history the Roo Skin has been gifted for a Dreamtime at the 'G gift exchange. With assistance from Ricky Baldwin, a Gunai Kurnai artist, the Roo skin has been wood burned, and hand painted with Ochre from Lake Tyers State Park on Krauatungalung Country (Gunai Kurnai). Alwyn Davey, Jade Gresham and Jack Peris all contributed to the design and art on the skin, and t he meaning behind the gift runs deep with themes of protection, unity and heading into the match. Dance Ceremony | Will Shake Spears Will Shake Spears began as a small group of Koori youth coming together to learn and carry culture. Entertainment | Briggs Adam Briggs, a Yorta Yorta man and passionate Dons supporter, is a prominent Indigenous Australian artist known for his work in hip-hop, comedy, and writing.
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Bombers' Dreamtime record intact as Gresham returns
Essendon's record of fielding at least one Indigenous player in every "Dreamtime at the G'' contest will remain intact after Jade Gresham declared himself fit. Sidelined by an adductor strain for the past two weeks, Gresham is set to return when the Bombers take on Richmond in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG on Friday night. "I'm all good to go. I got through training yesterday and Brad (Scott) gave me the all-clear that I'd be playing Friday night, which is awesome," Gresham said. "It's a game you want to play, as an Indigenous player, every year. "To be able to run out this week and represent your people is going to be really important for the footy club and, more broadly, for the AFL and the community." Former St Kilda forward Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, will feature in "Dreamtime at the G'' for the second time, after running out in front of almost 80,000 fans last season. "I grew up coming to these games every year and running around in the Auskick at halftime," Gresham said. "I always dreamt to be able to run out in 'Dreamtime' and it's just an awesome occasion for the Indigenous community to represent your people." Richmond will also have at least one Indigenous player in Friday night's contest, with Rhyan Mansell set to play and Maurice Rioli Jr in the selection mix. Mansell, a proud Pakana man, helped design the Tigers' predominantly yellow "Dreamtime'' guernsey and addressed his teammates this week during Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations. "I told my story, my family's story and (that of) the guernsey," Mansell said. "We're really celebrating the week and what it really means to us as a footy club. "We've got good (Indigenous) history and we've got a lot of new boys coming in this week for their first Dreamtime (game). It's going to be very exciting." Essendon's record of fielding at least one Indigenous player in every "Dreamtime at the G'' contest will remain intact after Jade Gresham declared himself fit. Sidelined by an adductor strain for the past two weeks, Gresham is set to return when the Bombers take on Richmond in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG on Friday night. "I'm all good to go. I got through training yesterday and Brad (Scott) gave me the all-clear that I'd be playing Friday night, which is awesome," Gresham said. "It's a game you want to play, as an Indigenous player, every year. "To be able to run out this week and represent your people is going to be really important for the footy club and, more broadly, for the AFL and the community." Former St Kilda forward Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, will feature in "Dreamtime at the G'' for the second time, after running out in front of almost 80,000 fans last season. "I grew up coming to these games every year and running around in the Auskick at halftime," Gresham said. "I always dreamt to be able to run out in 'Dreamtime' and it's just an awesome occasion for the Indigenous community to represent your people." Richmond will also have at least one Indigenous player in Friday night's contest, with Rhyan Mansell set to play and Maurice Rioli Jr in the selection mix. Mansell, a proud Pakana man, helped design the Tigers' predominantly yellow "Dreamtime'' guernsey and addressed his teammates this week during Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations. "I told my story, my family's story and (that of) the guernsey," Mansell said. "We're really celebrating the week and what it really means to us as a footy club. "We've got good (Indigenous) history and we've got a lot of new boys coming in this week for their first Dreamtime (game). It's going to be very exciting." Essendon's record of fielding at least one Indigenous player in every "Dreamtime at the G'' contest will remain intact after Jade Gresham declared himself fit. Sidelined by an adductor strain for the past two weeks, Gresham is set to return when the Bombers take on Richmond in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG on Friday night. "I'm all good to go. I got through training yesterday and Brad (Scott) gave me the all-clear that I'd be playing Friday night, which is awesome," Gresham said. "It's a game you want to play, as an Indigenous player, every year. "To be able to run out this week and represent your people is going to be really important for the footy club and, more broadly, for the AFL and the community." Former St Kilda forward Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, will feature in "Dreamtime at the G'' for the second time, after running out in front of almost 80,000 fans last season. "I grew up coming to these games every year and running around in the Auskick at halftime," Gresham said. "I always dreamt to be able to run out in 'Dreamtime' and it's just an awesome occasion for the Indigenous community to represent your people." Richmond will also have at least one Indigenous player in Friday night's contest, with Rhyan Mansell set to play and Maurice Rioli Jr in the selection mix. Mansell, a proud Pakana man, helped design the Tigers' predominantly yellow "Dreamtime'' guernsey and addressed his teammates this week during Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations. "I told my story, my family's story and (that of) the guernsey," Mansell said. "We're really celebrating the week and what it really means to us as a footy club. "We've got good (Indigenous) history and we've got a lot of new boys coming in this week for their first Dreamtime (game). It's going to be very exciting."
West Australian
21-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Bombers' Dreamtime record intact as Gresham returns
Essendon's record of fielding at least one Indigenous player in every "Dreamtime at the G'' contest will remain intact after Jade Gresham declared himself fit. Sidelined by an adductor strain for the past two weeks, Gresham is set to return when the Bombers take on Richmond in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG on Friday night. "I'm all good to go. I got through training yesterday and Brad (Scott) gave me the all-clear that I'd be playing Friday night, which is awesome," Gresham said. "It's a game you want to play, as an Indigenous player, every year. "To be able to run out this week and represent your people is going to be really important for the footy club and, more broadly, for the AFL and the community." Former St Kilda forward Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, will feature in "Dreamtime at the G'' for the second time, after running out in front of almost 80,000 fans last season. "I grew up coming to these games every year and running around in the Auskick at halftime," Gresham said. "I always dreamt to be able to run out in 'Dreamtime' and it's just an awesome occasion for the Indigenous community to represent your people." Richmond will also have at least one Indigenous player in Friday night's contest, with Rhyan Mansell set to play and Maurice Rioli Jr in the selection mix. Mansell, a proud Pakana man, helped design the Tigers' predominantly yellow "Dreamtime'' guernsey and addressed his teammates this week during Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations. "I told my story, my family's story and (that of) the guernsey," Mansell said. "We're really celebrating the week and what it really means to us as a footy club. "We've got good (Indigenous) history and we've got a lot of new boys coming in this week for their first Dreamtime (game). It's going to be very exciting."
Perth Now
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Bombers' Dreamtime record intact as Gresham returns
Essendon's record of fielding at least one Indigenous player in every "Dreamtime at the G'' contest will remain intact after Jade Gresham declared himself fit. Sidelined by an adductor strain for the past two weeks, Gresham is set to return when the Bombers take on Richmond in the annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round feature match at the MCG on Friday night. "I'm all good to go. I got through training yesterday and Brad (Scott) gave me the all-clear that I'd be playing Friday night, which is awesome," Gresham said. "It's a game you want to play, as an Indigenous player, every year. "To be able to run out this week and represent your people is going to be really important for the footy club and, more broadly, for the AFL and the community." Former St Kilda forward Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, will feature in "Dreamtime at the G'' for the second time, after running out in front of almost 80,000 fans last season. "I grew up coming to these games every year and running around in the Auskick at halftime," Gresham said. "I always dreamt to be able to run out in 'Dreamtime' and it's just an awesome occasion for the Indigenous community to represent your people." Richmond will also have at least one Indigenous player in Friday night's contest, with Rhyan Mansell set to play and Maurice Rioli Jr in the selection mix. Mansell, a proud Pakana man, helped design the Tigers' predominantly yellow "Dreamtime'' guernsey and addressed his teammates this week during Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations. "I told my story, my family's story and (that of) the guernsey," Mansell said. "We're really celebrating the week and what it really means to us as a footy club. "We've got good (Indigenous) history and we've got a lot of new boys coming in this week for their first Dreamtime (game). It's going to be very exciting."
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Legends demand AFL action on falling Indigenous numbers
Indigenous champions Michael Long and Stephen Michael have called on the AFL industry to do more to promote and support First Nations talent amid a sharp decline in numbers at the top level. A record total of 87 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander players were on AFL club lists in 2020, but that number has fallen each year since. It sits at 62 in 2025, after Hawthorn's Cody Anderson (pick 64) was the only Indigenous player selected at last year's national draft. Malakai Champion and Ricky Mentha were selected as Category B rookies by West Coast and Melbourne respectively. Essendon legend Long spoke in recent weeks with a host of AFL clubs about what can be done to ensure more resources are put in place to support First Nations players. The 55-year-old hopes Sir Doug Nicholls Round can shine a light on the falling number of First Nations players at the top level and ultimately reverse the trend. "There's a lot of things that clubs can do, not just the AFL," Long said on Wednesday at the launch of this year's "Dreamtime at the G'' feature match. "Football's played at all different levels countrywide and in remote communities. I think we all have a role to play. "We spoke to some of the clubs in Adelaide about how can we work closely with the clubs and resource the clubs, because it's too important. "Obviously we've seen the dip, but we want to improve that and give every kid the opportunity, boys and girls." It emerged this week former Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro had lobbied the AFL in 2021 to introduce a rule that would have made it mandatory for each club to recruit at least one Indigenous player each year. The initiative never got off the ground. Long said he had predicted the fall of First Nations player numbers at AFL level. "I saw it coming a few years ago with what was happening, not just on the field, but off the field," Long said. "Nothing's perfect in this world, but we want to see it get better, definitely. That's from past players. "This week we embrace what clubs do and the good things that are happening. That's important. "Hopefully from this week we can have those discussions, which leads from the AFL. "You've got to lead from the top, and it's important that we provide that pathway." South Fremantle legend Michael - the 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree - believes a whole-of-game approach is required to boost support for First Nations players and improve talent pathways. "We all have to do something, somewhere along the line," Michael said. "We could have ideas, but it has to go through all clubs, from the top right down to the bottom and down in the country as well." Essendon host Richmond on Friday night in the 21st edition of the annual "Dreamtime at the G'' contest, which is the centrepiece of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The signature moment from the first two decades of "Dreamtime at the G'' clashes came in 2022, when a group of eight Richmond players led a powerful pre-match war dance. Four of them - Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Shane Edwards and Maurice Rioli Jr - played for the Tigers that night. This year, as few as two Indigenous players could feature, with Richmond's Rhyan Mansell set to play and Essendon's Jade Gresham cleared to return from injury. "Indigenous players have sort of dropped off the last few years, but there's a lot of talent out there in the community," Gresham said. "We've got to help out where we can. I'm not sure how that is. "The clubs I think are getting better at it, but there's a lot of improvement to go, I think, from the AFL as well." Indigenous champions Michael Long and Stephen Michael have called on the AFL industry to do more to promote and support First Nations talent amid a sharp decline in numbers at the top level. A record total of 87 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander players were on AFL club lists in 2020, but that number has fallen each year since. It sits at 62 in 2025, after Hawthorn's Cody Anderson (pick 64) was the only Indigenous player selected at last year's national draft. Malakai Champion and Ricky Mentha were selected as Category B rookies by West Coast and Melbourne respectively. Essendon legend Long spoke in recent weeks with a host of AFL clubs about what can be done to ensure more resources are put in place to support First Nations players. The 55-year-old hopes Sir Doug Nicholls Round can shine a light on the falling number of First Nations players at the top level and ultimately reverse the trend. "There's a lot of things that clubs can do, not just the AFL," Long said on Wednesday at the launch of this year's "Dreamtime at the G'' feature match. "Football's played at all different levels countrywide and in remote communities. I think we all have a role to play. "We spoke to some of the clubs in Adelaide about how can we work closely with the clubs and resource the clubs, because it's too important. "Obviously we've seen the dip, but we want to improve that and give every kid the opportunity, boys and girls." It emerged this week former Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro had lobbied the AFL in 2021 to introduce a rule that would have made it mandatory for each club to recruit at least one Indigenous player each year. The initiative never got off the ground. Long said he had predicted the fall of First Nations player numbers at AFL level. "I saw it coming a few years ago with what was happening, not just on the field, but off the field," Long said. "Nothing's perfect in this world, but we want to see it get better, definitely. That's from past players. "This week we embrace what clubs do and the good things that are happening. That's important. "Hopefully from this week we can have those discussions, which leads from the AFL. "You've got to lead from the top, and it's important that we provide that pathway." South Fremantle legend Michael - the 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree - believes a whole-of-game approach is required to boost support for First Nations players and improve talent pathways. "We all have to do something, somewhere along the line," Michael said. "We could have ideas, but it has to go through all clubs, from the top right down to the bottom and down in the country as well." Essendon host Richmond on Friday night in the 21st edition of the annual "Dreamtime at the G'' contest, which is the centrepiece of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The signature moment from the first two decades of "Dreamtime at the G'' clashes came in 2022, when a group of eight Richmond players led a powerful pre-match war dance. Four of them - Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Shane Edwards and Maurice Rioli Jr - played for the Tigers that night. This year, as few as two Indigenous players could feature, with Richmond's Rhyan Mansell set to play and Essendon's Jade Gresham cleared to return from injury. "Indigenous players have sort of dropped off the last few years, but there's a lot of talent out there in the community," Gresham said. "We've got to help out where we can. I'm not sure how that is. "The clubs I think are getting better at it, but there's a lot of improvement to go, I think, from the AFL as well." Indigenous champions Michael Long and Stephen Michael have called on the AFL industry to do more to promote and support First Nations talent amid a sharp decline in numbers at the top level. A record total of 87 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander players were on AFL club lists in 2020, but that number has fallen each year since. It sits at 62 in 2025, after Hawthorn's Cody Anderson (pick 64) was the only Indigenous player selected at last year's national draft. Malakai Champion and Ricky Mentha were selected as Category B rookies by West Coast and Melbourne respectively. Essendon legend Long spoke in recent weeks with a host of AFL clubs about what can be done to ensure more resources are put in place to support First Nations players. The 55-year-old hopes Sir Doug Nicholls Round can shine a light on the falling number of First Nations players at the top level and ultimately reverse the trend. "There's a lot of things that clubs can do, not just the AFL," Long said on Wednesday at the launch of this year's "Dreamtime at the G'' feature match. "Football's played at all different levels countrywide and in remote communities. I think we all have a role to play. "We spoke to some of the clubs in Adelaide about how can we work closely with the clubs and resource the clubs, because it's too important. "Obviously we've seen the dip, but we want to improve that and give every kid the opportunity, boys and girls." It emerged this week former Essendon list boss Adrian Dodoro had lobbied the AFL in 2021 to introduce a rule that would have made it mandatory for each club to recruit at least one Indigenous player each year. The initiative never got off the ground. Long said he had predicted the fall of First Nations player numbers at AFL level. "I saw it coming a few years ago with what was happening, not just on the field, but off the field," Long said. "Nothing's perfect in this world, but we want to see it get better, definitely. That's from past players. "This week we embrace what clubs do and the good things that are happening. That's important. "Hopefully from this week we can have those discussions, which leads from the AFL. "You've got to lead from the top, and it's important that we provide that pathway." South Fremantle legend Michael - the 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree - believes a whole-of-game approach is required to boost support for First Nations players and improve talent pathways. "We all have to do something, somewhere along the line," Michael said. "We could have ideas, but it has to go through all clubs, from the top right down to the bottom and down in the country as well." Essendon host Richmond on Friday night in the 21st edition of the annual "Dreamtime at the G'' contest, which is the centrepiece of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The signature moment from the first two decades of "Dreamtime at the G'' clashes came in 2022, when a group of eight Richmond players led a powerful pre-match war dance. Four of them - Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Shane Edwards and Maurice Rioli Jr - played for the Tigers that night. This year, as few as two Indigenous players could feature, with Richmond's Rhyan Mansell set to play and Essendon's Jade Gresham cleared to return from injury. "Indigenous players have sort of dropped off the last few years, but there's a lot of talent out there in the community," Gresham said. "We've got to help out where we can. I'm not sure how that is. "The clubs I think are getting better at it, but there's a lot of improvement to go, I think, from the AFL as well."
