CLUBS will wear specially designed indigenous jumpers this weekend to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Sir Doug was a talented sportsman who later became a much-loved Christian pastor and community leader. The round named in his honour recognises the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the game.   

Here is a snapshot of the 'story' behind each club's guernsey. 

The artwork by Roger Rigney features circles, pathways, tracks and watermark dots, traditional tools/weapons of battle and two warriors. The large white dots symbolise the 23 indigenous players who have represented the Crows. The Kaurna language word Tangkuinyainga (All Dream) appears on the inside back collar.

Brisbane-born artist Elaine Chambers designed the jumper, which features a meeting place (the Gabba) that is part of the Turrbal and Yuggera nations. "With respect to the people of the land, I have designed the art showing people coming together from north, south, east and west, and meeting on these sacred grounds," Chambers said.

The design by Lyn-Al Young is based on country, connection, community and club. It focuses on Carlton's history in the area and the club's approach to building better communities across Australia. The logo is based on the canoe tree, which is significant to many Aboriginal groups in Victoria and others across the country.

Designer Mick Harding said: "The magpie is a fantastic story teller. You can hear it in their song. The section that surrounds the magpie represents panels of a possum skin cloak, which articulates the diversity and complexity of Aboriginal groups across Australia. We belong to this land and have a deep affinity with it."

Designed by Tiwi College student and Northern Territory AFLW under-18 team member Arthurina Moreen, the jumper features dots on the red sash and lines in the body representing Tiwi elders and culture. "I have used the traditional colours, which are yellow, black, white and ochre," Moreen said. "I have watched my uncle paint since I was a little girl. He inspired my design."

Former Docker Dale Kickett and respected Noongar elder and artist Dr Richard Walley, the club's No. 1 ticket holder, designed the jumper. It features multiple facets representing the club, including players and their families, coaches and staff and fans. It also carries symbols denoting the six Noongar seasons.

Artist Nathan Patterson designed the guernsey, which features a silhouette of the YouYangs, a significant meeting place for the Wadawurrung people. Behind the YouYangs is the rising sun, representing Kardinia Park, which in Wadawurrung language means the first rays of light. The jumper also carries symbols of mountains, water and the rising sun.

Designer Luther Cora has played an integral role in generating awareness and educating players and staff about local Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island culture. Traditional Aboriginal artwork features all over the jumper, with the traditional headwear of the Torres Straight Island people, The Dhari, on the back.

Designed by Nathan Patterson, the artwork called 'Learning Together, Growing Together, Walking Together' has a campfire/meeting place at its heart. The meeting place incorporates themes of harmony, health, education and employment. The artwork also includes footprints denoting reconciliation and gum leaves representing a smoking ceremony that cleanses and empowers.

Created by Jennifer 'Lulu' Coombes and inspired by Cyril Rioli, the guernsey features aspects of the Tiwi Island culture, the Pukumani Poles and the Kulama ceremony. The poles are used in ceremonies and are also placed around graves in order to protect the deceased from evil spirits. Kulama ceremonies occur at the beginning of the dry season (April-May).

Forward Jeff Garlett's aunty Cindy Prior designed the jumper, which depicts men, women and children playing, participating and dreaming together. The football represents the AFL and the communities in which people live, work and play together. The four corners surrounding the football represent indigenous elders, who play a vital role in teaching younger people about traditional cultures, languages, country and dreaming.

Tarisse King designed 'Origins', which recognises the 22 indigenous players who have represented the club. The 'story' is an aerial view of a winding river, running through a series of communities that represent today's football talent. The river feeds in to an indigenous Kangaroo – symbolic of North Melbourne – where the wider community comes together.

The design by Kevin Bynder and Paddy Ryder reflects the 10 Aboriginal players on the club's list this year. The players are represented by circles, which are also known as a camping place. There are 11 people sitting around a campfire – 10 players teaching a coach about Aboriginal culture, with the coach paying back the respect by sitting and listening.

The artwork by Robert Young features a shield, which provides protection for a warrior while also representing those he is protecting. The spear represents the relentless spirit that resides in all people. "It helps you overcome the great obstacles, fears, worries and doubts that plague our minds and break our bodies down," Young said.

Player Jade Gresham and his mum Michelle helped design the jumper, with help from club graphic designer Malcolm Wallace. The design represents the land of the Yorta Yorta people. The traditional St Kilda tri-colours have been adjusted to form an abstract geographical representation of the Yorta Yorta lands, while an intricate detail reminiscent of a turtle's shell runs through the red and black panels.

The design by Cheryl Davison tells a dreamtime story of a beautiful white swan that was attacked by fellow swans until it was bloodied and left without feathers. A black crow came to the rescue of the swan, tended to its wounds and gave it some of its own black feathers to ensure it wasn't cold.

This design by Aboriginal artist Kevin Bynder and the club's Reconciliation Action Plan reference group, which includes former and past players and coaches and the club's indigenous liaison officer Phil Narkle, centres on the Waalitj (wedge-tailed eagle) with its talons poised ready to attack its prey.

Wurundjeri-Yorta Yorta artist Cooper Craig-Peters, a member of the club's Next Generation Academy, has used his life journey to design the jumper. "The lines represent the many paths I have taken. Each circle represents an important event in my life. The footprints pay respect to my ancestors. The red, yellow and black circle proudly represents my Aboriginal heritage. The green, black, white and blue circle represents the Torres Strait Islander community."