THE AFLW'S annual Indigenous Round will take place during round eight from Wednesday, February 23 until Sunday, February 27.

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Check out what your club's 2022 Indigenous guernsey will look like below, and learn about the inspiration behind the design.

For the first time in Adelaide’s history, the club’s AFL, AFLW and SANFL sides will all wear an Indigenous guernsey with the same design this season.

The AFLW side will wear the Indigenous guernsey during the Indigenous Round celebrations along with clash games.

This year’s design highlights the coming together of the men’s and women’s teams on their reconciliation journey, as well as acknowledging the impact that the many members of the Crows family have left on the club since 1991.

The Aboriginal adaptation of the crow sits at the centre of the guernsey, with the Kaurna shield perched proudly on its chest.

The male and female hands which make up the wings of the crow and the fingerprints on the feathers which wrap around the guernsey represent the imprint players, staff, members and supporters have left on the club over its journey.

Aboriginal male and female symbols sit on its wings, symbolising men’s and women’s players coming together to support, encourage and flourish.

The crow is surrounded by layers of many circles of different sizes, colours, and shapes, symbolic of a meeting place and the Crows community coming together on a shared journey.

A secondary Kaurna shield stands tall at the base of the flight path, surrounded by the footprints of the Crows family whose relentless, consistent, and hardworking attitudes propels the Crows forward.

The guernsey was designed by Eastern Arrernte man Pat Caruso, whose design agency We Create Print Deliver was named NAIDOC SA 2021 Business of the Year Award.

When Ally Anderson was designing this year’s AFLW Indigenous Guernsey, her first thought wasn’t of how to represent herself or her mob in the design, but of how to represent those around her.

"I was actually inspired by one of the Men’s Indigenous guernseys from a few years ago," Anderson said.

"Allen Christensen actually approached me and the other Indigenous AFLW players a few years ago and asked if we wanted our totems included on the men’s Indigenous guernsey.

"For him to include us that way, and then to see the boys run out in the guernsey with my totem on it and to be like 'oh that’s me!', it was just such a flattering and nice gesture.

"So, in going to design this guernsey, I wanted everyone to feel that way too, to be able to point to the guernsey and be like 'That’s me!', and not only the players, but our fans, supporters, friends and family, for everyone around us, to feel that too."

And in doing so, Anderson has managed to represent everyone involved in the club’s AFLW journey in her 2022 Indigenous guernsey design.

From the eight Foundation players and each of the current AFLW players, to their support staff, family, friends and supporters, Anderson has created a place for each of them.

Most importantly, she has created a space for the totems of herself and her two Indigenous teammates, Courtney Hodder and Dakota Davidson, on the back of the guernsey.

Designed by 17-year-old Indigenous artist Brooke Sutton, the artwork represents the Carlton Football Club, the club’s journey, players, and supporters.

The piece entitled ‘The Mighty Blues’ features a large community symbol which symbolises the club as a whole. There are also 22 people symbols which represent the 16 players on the field, five reserves and head coach.

There are two community symbols which are for both senior sides, and the shields behind them symbolise the battle that will take place on the field.

The design also features a number of large blue arches which depict the many different stadiums and football fields visited during the season, and the coloured arches represent the spectators who support the AFLW each week.

Sutton wanted the artwork to symbolise as many highlights from the club as possible – including past, present, and future – and every element has a story behind it.

Collingwood’s Indigenous guernsey features two soaring Magpies in a design created by proud Yorta Yorta and Gunnai man, Dixon Patten.

The design shows both magpies flying onwards and upwards, with outstretched wings, reaching new heights and possibilities.

Magpies are nurturers who guide their young, playing a role similar to that of teachers, elders or respected persons. This guiding role is important to Aboriginal communities and families. We learn, listen and adhere to the teachings of our old people. Cultural practices teach values, and are learnt through connecting to stories, song, land, people and community and it guides everything that the community does.

The background pattern of the design features gum leaves which represent cultural and personal growth. They meander like a river formation, signifying pathways and life's journey. Gum leaves are significant to the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri of the Kulin Nation, whose land Collingwood Football Club is a part of. The leaves are used in 'Welcome to Country' ceremonies and are extended to guests as a gesture of 'Welcome'.

Fremantle's 2022 AFLW Indigenous Jumper is based on the Mikayla Morrison and Des Headland design that was also used for Fremantle's 2021 AFL Indigenous Jumper.

Local Indigenous artist Kevin Bynder – an uncle to Morrison and cousin to Headland – worked with his family members to create the design last year, with the trio eager for the jumper to be worn by both the AFL and AFLW teams.

The design has also been adapted to the AFLW team, including the middle tapping stick changing to a berry colour.

On the back of the jumper, the silhouette of the AFL players has been replaced with eight circles to represent the language groups of each Indigenous AFLW player who has played a game for the club, continuing the tradition started with Jasmin Stewart's AFLW jumper design for the 2020 and 2021 AFLW seasons.

"It's very exciting, we've worn it at training and I'm very honoured to have been part of the design and have all the girls wear it as well. It tells my story as well as my uncles, it's very exciting," Morrison said.

"Personally, the jumper shows all of my tribes connected and coming together to the point where I was drafted and became a part of the AFLW team.

"Indigenous Round means a lot. I feel like it gives us Indigenous players a platform to showcase our skills and also have that opportunity to share our culture and knowledge with our teammates and fans."

As well as telling her personal story, the jumper shows the Beeliar Wetlands, which is an area of significant meaning to Morrison. They are shown on the left side of the jumper from the viewer's perspective to represent the three lakes around the Cockburn area.

Corrina Eccles is the artist of the Geelong AFLW Indigenous guernsey and is a Wadawurrung traditional owner. She has been heavily involved at the Cats for the last 15 years and it’s very fitting Corrina is designing the first Indigenous AFLW guernsey as her son ‘BJ’ designed the first Indigenous AFL guernsey for the club. Corrina is a member of the GFC Reconciliation Action Plan and been involved in all three RAPs the club has implemented.

The design represents a story of Wadawurrung country and incorporates a number of meaningful landmarks across the Barwon region. The design includes the sunsire, two teams coming together to play Marngrook, the Barwon River, the waves of the saltwater country and Bunjil the eagle. The back of the guernsey also features the word Djilang, the Wadawurrung word for Geelong.

Corrina Eccles said: "I hope the girls, when they run out, they connect to Wadawurrung country and the landscape. Let’s hope Bunjil is flying over as they’re playing to bring us good spirit."

Like in previous years, the Suns will utilise its Indigenous guernsey as the dedicated clash guernsey in 2022.

Suns AFLW Indigenous footballer Kalinda Howarth was involved in the design process for this year’s guernsey and said it was a privilege to be able to share her culture.

"It’s been super special this year to be able to have some input into this guernsey," Howarth told Suns Media.

"Being able to represent my family and my culture has been an incredible process to be a part of and I’m really thankful.

"I think it’s come out looking incredible and I’m looking forward to wearing it this weekend."

The guernsey was created by local Bundalung-Yugambeh artist Christine Slabb for a second consecutive year.

The white sun on the guernsey represents the Gold Coast and the Suns AFLW players and their families and communities.

The yellow sun at the top-back of the guernsey depicts the sunrise coming out of the ocean while the symbolic nature of having the sun on both the front and back of the playing strip signifies the past, present and future of the football club.

The Giants' AFLW guernsey was designed by Wiradjuri woman Leeanne Hunter, who specialises in contemporary Aboriginal art.

U shape in the centre circle: represents an aerial view of a person sitting, with the digging stick to represent a woman, the U shape is placed in the centre to depict Briana and the support networks who work behind the scenes to organise the AFL games and training for teams.

Inner circle: Black footprints depict the reserve team members.

Third and fourth inner circle: the female image for the (16) players on the field, all aiming for their goal and interconnected. The black and white colours are representative of women from all cultural backgrounds.

The pathway: Is the pathway created by the AFL for female players to play at a professional level. The Emu footprint is the totem of Codie Briggs and her family heritage from the Murray River in Victoria. The emu print is depicted walking together and role modelling as other female players seek to play in the AFLW.

The wave: Is representative of the Salt Water people from the Torres Strait and any other mainland Aboriginal person who is from Salt Water country. It doubles as the wave of women in the past who missed the opportunity to play AFLW at a professional level.

Melbourne’s jumper was designed by AFLW player, Krstel Petrevski, who hails from Halls Creek in WA’s Kimberley region. Krstel, is a talented young Indigenous player and fantastic artist.

FRONT OF JUMPER:

Three big circles (red section): The 3 big circles represents our Melbourne Demons Football Club community, the AFLW community and our support community so our families, friends, supporters, members and fans. This acknowledges and pays respects to everyone who’s a part of community and who’s belonging. There are 30 symbols around the circle, this represents each and every one of the 30 girls on our AFLW list. It’s really important to acknowledge and pay respect to my teammates and non-Indigenous players.

Dark red circles (top of jumper): This design represents people coming from all different walks of life, all different backgrounds/lifestyles and all coming together and going on the same journey together.

White boomerang: The boomerang represents the strength of our team and how strong our team connection and culture is together as a collective and as one. The design in the boomerang represents all our individuals' strength and personalities and how when we come together the formation of our team's strength and that we are stronger together.

Eagle: In the centre of the design I acknowledge and pay respect to the Wurundjeri people, past, present and emerging. The traditional custodians of the land on which Melbourne is built. Bunjil is the wedge tail eagle, the creator spirit of Wurundjeri people and the Kulin nation. Bunjil looks over us in the sky and guides us.

Large navy circles: The 11 circles and the design pattern around it tells the story of my great grandfather from my dad’s side of the family who was a Kija man from Purnululu (the bungles). The 11 circles represent the waterholes. He started his journey from Ord River Gorge and passed through all 11 waterholes until he reached the bungles. This is the journey of him walking our country.

Hand-prints: The two handprints represent myself (Kija/Jaru) and Aliesha Newman (Ningy Ningy), being the only two Indigenous women to have played for the Melbourne Football Club. On the hands is our tribe's name. Although Aliesha is no longer at the Demons (now at Collingwood), it's important to acknowledge and pay respect to her and the influence and impact she has had within the AFLW in the Indigenous space.

Footprints: The footprints on the front of the jersey represents the journey of being a part of the football club and program. It represents the journey and the growth of going through our program and learning and developing and leaving a better football player and person.

BACK OF JUMPER:

Blue circles: This design represents people coming from all different walks of life, all different backgrounds/lifestyles and all coming together and going on the same journey together.

Footprints: The footprints represent all the past players and players that have come through the Melbourne Football Club and have paved the pathway for us today.

The guernsey was originally designed by Indigenous artist, Emma Macneill, in collaboration with Kaitlyn Ashmore, Mia King and Jy Simpkin.

The Kangaroos originally wore the design in 2021, in a predominantly white colourway.

NAB AFLW Rising Star nominee and proud Jaowyn woman Mia King explains the meaning behind the guernsey design.

"We have the kangaroo paw in the middle. It comes in all different shapes and sizes to represent the women at the football club coming from all different cultures and backgrounds and coming together as one," King said.

"The boomerangs on the side represent the men, helping to empower us and the hands across the front, the shield of protection."

The Tigers will proudly wear the predominantly yellow design as a clash strip throughout the season and in the league-wide Indigenous Round.

Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI) alumnus Chantelle Mitchell designed the jumper in consultation with Monique Conti and Sarah D'Arcy.

Chantelle, a budding young Indigenous artist from Mildura, also painted the boots of fellow Sunraysia product and Richmond key forward Courtney Wakefield ahead of last season's Indigenous Round.

The round became extra special for the AFLW Tigers in 2021, with the team recording the club’s first-ever win in the competition and the players resonating powerfully with the design elements and story behind the Michelle Kerrin designed jumper.

Given the significance, Chantelle's 2022 design will include the same sash as last year's history-making jumper, paying homage to the connection within the group and cultural learning the players commenced together.

The symbols inside the sash represent connection, country, and people living in Indigenous communities. An Indigenous symbol for "woman" is also placed on the guernsey, close to the heart.

The woman represents "sisterhood" and the staunch matriarch that lives on through generations. Its inclusion signifies that every time a women's footballer steps onto the field, they are a part of something greater than football.

St Kilda’s AFLW side debuted its 2022 Indigenous guernsey earlier this season against Collingwood at Victoria Park, with the design composed by club legend Nicky Winmar.

The guernsey will double as the club’s clash strip for the 2022 NAB AFLW Season and will also be worn during this year’s Indigenous Round.

A version of Winmar’s design, featuring a predominantly black colour palette as opposed to this season’s white, was first worn during the 2021 AFL Season as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

This year’s Indigenous guernsey is inspired by Nicky’s family, his history and his love of the Saints.

Two Willy Wagtails, Nicky’s family totem, feature on the front of the jumper to represent both of his parents, alongside a silhouette of his iconic 'I’m Black and I’m Proud' pose from his defining stand at Victoria Park in 1993.

The stencils seen on the back of the guernsey are based off traditional Indigenous splatter techniques and feature Nicky’s very own hands.

They represent teamwork and demonstrate his eternal connection to the club and its current group of players – he will always have their back.

West Coast has unveiled the club’s inaugural AFLW Indigenous Round guernsey, designed by artist Buffie Corunna.

The intricate detailing of the jumper identifies West Coast’s strong connection with community, which is a cornerstone of the club’s values.

The guernsey also represents First Nations people across both Western Australia and Australia, and cross-cultural connections amongst the team, which are signified through acts of support between Indigenous and non-Indigenous players.

The jumper also acknowledges West Coast’s significant commitment to reconciliation and empowering First Nations people through the establishment of the Waalitj Foundation in 2005.

The design was guided by Eagles forward Imahra Cameron and former player Alicia Janz. The design process commenced last year, with Eagles' RAP member Colleen Castle also involved through the creation.

The Western Bulldogs will debut their 2022 Indigenous guernsey this Sunday against Collingwood.

Designed by artist Rubii Red, a proud Lama Lama woman from Cape York in Queensland, in collaboration with participants from the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation’s Nallei Jerring program, the guernsey focuses on connection and growth.

"I wanted to represent the young people’s growth, their cultural journey as individuals, as well as the importance of their communities and their safe circles being present with them for their journey," Rubii said.

"I included the rings, as pathways for the young people, which also represents their connection to the club and the program, and helping them connect with their culture.

"The circles in the background represent the many communities and safe spaces these young people have, while the figure which looks to be standing on the one of the rings, represents the journey, the young person, walking their own path and discovering themselves.

"The footprints indicate two things; the journey as well as following their ancestors and role models to learn who they are as young Indigenous people."

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