The AFL has today announced the 2020 Toyota Sir Doug Nicholls Round fixture for Round 13 of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

Two matches in Darwin will feature as the Gold Coast SUNS host Carlton on Friday 21 August at TIO Stadium, and the already announced Dreamtime in Darwin’ game between Essendon and Richmond on Saturday 22 August at the same venue.
 
The ‘Dreamtime in Darwin’ match is a rare opportunity to take one of the most meaningful matches on the AFL calendar to the Northern Territory community.
 
The 2020 Toyota Sir Doug Nicholls Round will be a true celebration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their contribution to Australian Football, and how players past and present have inspired generations of Australians.
 
The fixture for this round begins on the Friday night, with no matches scheduled for Thursday night in order to give all clubs and fans an extra night of rest after 20 straight days of matches.
 
Hawthorn will travel straight from Western Australia to South Australia to play Port Adelaide on Saturday 22 August, with the Hawks to be based in Adelaide for at least two weeks.
 
Sydney and GWS GIANTS will both play at Optus Stadium against Fremantle and West Coast Eagles respectively as their WA quarantine period ends.
 
Matches will be played in Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. 

AFL General Manager of Social Policy and Inclusion, Tanya Hosch, said this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round will recognise the immense journey the AFL has undertaken since the introduction of the Discrimination and Racial and Religious Vilification Act in 1995.

“Sir Doug Nicholls Round creates a platform to profile players who have changed the game’s history and faced racism and discrimination to fight for equality and recognition, such as Carlton Champion and Wongatha man, Syd Jackson, our 2020 Sir Doug Nicholls Round honouree.”
 
“To have two matches in Darwin, and all our clubs embracing the spirit of the round, proudly wearing their Indigenous Guernsey’s, it will make for a memorable celebration in what has been an unprecedented season.”
 
AFL General Manager of Broadcasting and Clubs, Travis Auld, has outlined the significance of the 2020 Toyota AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round to the AFL.
 
“This is the fifth year the dedicated round has been named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls, an icon of Australian football and someone who represents the values of the game.

“The Sir Doug Nicholls Round is a hugely significant round in the season, and as part of this round, we’re really excited about the opportunity to play both the Dreamtime Game and the first-ever Gold Coast home game in Darwin.
 
“I’d also like to thank the Northern Territory Government and the Seven Network for their support in allowing us to bring the Dreamtime Game to Darwin,” said Auld.

Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO, Tim Watsford:
 
“For fans to be able to enjoy two AFL games in the Territory on the same weekend is fantastic. This is such an opportunity for us to see our footy heroes in action.

“With the Territory producing so many incredible Aboriginal footballers it seems natural the Dreamtime match should take place here. Now we have a Gold Coast SUNS game to add to the calendar too. 

“We’ve already seen plenty of local support for the Dreamtime game, and the second match will further increase the excitement. This doubleheader will inspire our next generation of AFL players.”

This year’s round, while continuing to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls, will also recognise Australian Football Legend Syd Jackson’s contribution to the game and the community.  
 
Playing 136 games for the Carlton Football Club from 1969 - 1976, the dual-premiership player has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including supporting the Blues Foundation with the Syd Jackson Program named in his honour. The program seeks to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander diverse communities.

Round 13 - 2020 Toyota AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round
 

2020 Toyota Sir Doug Nicholls Round: 

2020 is the fourteenth year the AFL has celebrated the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their contribution to Australian Football.
 
Born on the Cummeragunja Mission in New South Wales in 1906, Sir he played football for Fitzroy before becoming a Pastor and pioneer for reconciliation in Australia. He then went on to become the first Indigenous person to be Knighted and hold the position of Governor of South Australia.

Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls:

• Born December 9, 1906 in Cummeragunja NSW
• Died June 4, 1988 in Mooroopna, Victoria
• VFL/AFL: 54 games for Fitzroy Football Club 1932-1937. Victorian representative player for two games.
• Was third in Fitzroy's best and fairest count in 1934
• VFA (now VFL): Northcote Football Club 1927-1931 and 1938-1939. VFA representative player for two games.
• Northcote Football Club's best and fairest player in 1929 and 1930.
• Played in Northcote Football Club's premiership side in 1929.
• Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order 1977
• Knight Bachelor 1972
• Governor of South Australia 1976-1977
• OBE 1968
• MBE 1957

 Syd Jackson:

• 104 games East Perth 1963-67, 78 goals
• 136 games Carlton 1969-76, 165 goals
• 13 games Glenelg 1977, 21 goals
• One game WA, one goal
• Premierships 1970, 1972
• Best and Fairest 1966
• Indigenous Team of the Century
• East Perth Team of the Century