THIS year's Sir Doug Nicholls Round takes on extra significance in the aftermath of the powerful Black Lives Matter cause that has swept - and is still sweeping - across the world.
It is why, in this weekend's round of football, all players will wear their club's Indigenous jumper with great pride and a deeper understanding of its importance. And what do these stunning jumpers look like? Check it out below.
ADELAIDE
Designed by former Crow Eddie Hocking, the club's first Indigenous player, the guernsey represents Hocking's journey with the Adelaide Football Club. Hocking, who played 11 games for the club, worked with local artist Shane 'Mankitya' Cook to craft the design and said it was a "proud' moment in his life (check out the full story in the player below).
We're proud to unveil our 2020 Indigenous guernsey #weflyasone
— Adelaide Crows (@Adelaide_FC) August 8, 2020
BRISBANE
Callum Ah Chee's totem, a Kwoora or Wallaby, features on the jumper alongside the individual totems of each of the Lions' Indigenous AFL and AFLW players. On the front of the guernsey, designed by veteran Allen Christensen, the totems tell the stories of each players' clan history. Flying foxes, emus, lizards and sharks are some of the totems of the Lions' current Indigenous players.
We're thrilled to be wearing our 2020 Indigenous guernsey in front of Gabba crowd in round 13! Check out our latest fixture below ??
— Brisbane Lions (@brisbanelions) August 6, 2020
CARLTON
Australian artist and proud Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri/Narrunga man Tony Wilson created the design in consultation with the club's AFL Indigenous players. A feature of the artwork is the six main ripples on the front of the guernsey, representing the club's six current Indigenous players; Eddie Betts, Liam Jones, Sam Petrevski-Seton, Jack Martin, Natalie Plane and Maddy Prespakis.
Our 2020 Indigenous guernsey is here.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) August 18, 2020
A tribute to our current and former Indigenous players, our members and the impact that they have had on the game and our club.#OwnTheFuture
COLLINGWOOD
This year's guernsey, which highlights the Yorta Yorta culture, was designed by Ross Morgan snr and his sons. The story behind the design comes from the Cummeragunja Walk Off, which was a protest by Aboriginal people at Cummeragunja Station. It is remembered as an act of strength and resilience.
ESSENDON
This year's guernsey, which highlights the Tiwi Islands culture, was designed by talented budding artist Timaya Cunningham, a year 12 student at Xavier Catholic College Wurrumiyanga. Cunningham said the design was in honour of the Tiwi culture, community and knowledge. "The circle design is a Milimika circle. In a Milimika circle, everyone is equal. When Tiwi people from different clan groups sit in a Milimika circle, everyone's voice is heard and considered. The design in the sash represents a journey of knowledge. The dot pattern shows movement across the land ..."
FREMANTLE
Fremantle's new era under senior coach Justin Longmuir is a central theme of its 2020 AFL Indigenous jumper, designed by former player Antoni Grover and his sisters Nicole King and Alicia King.
GEELONG
First unveiled in 2019, Quinton Narkle designed the jumper which is a representation of a number of significant stories including the connection to the Geelong region on Wadawurrung Country, Quinton's own region in Western Australia, the language of all seven current Geelong Indigenous players and a tribute to club legend Graham 'Polly' Farmer.
Designed by Narkle ?? Quinton Narkle explains our Indigenous guernsey.
— Geelong Cats (@GeelongCats) August 18, 2020
Get yours ?? https://t.co/1tRqWJAkw0 pic.twitter.com/p9PxjPEq2s
GOLD COAST
Local Yugambeh man Luther Cora designed the jumper, with the sun as the centrepiece representing people coming together. The red, blue and gold colours are synonymous to the traditional custodians of the Gold Coast and represent both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Names of all current and past Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suns players also feature on the guernsey.
GWS GIANTS
GWS forward, and Whadjuk-Ballardong Noongar man, Bobby Hill designed the Giants' 2020 jumper. The design, titled Bobby's GIANT Journey, tells the story of Hill from his upbringing in Northam, WA, to moving to Sydney in 2018 to representing the Giants. Boomerangs and campfire represent hunting (a big part of Hill's upbringing), and the circle below the boomerangs represents family. The footprints in the middle of the back of the jumper represent Bobby's journey.
>> READ THE FULL STORY ON GWSGIANTS.COM.AU
HAWTHORN
Hawthorn's 2020 Indigenous guernsey is designed by proud Nyarinyin, Pitjantjantjara and Yankuntjantjara woman Justine Ronberg. A former Worawa Aboriginal College Student, Ronberg entered a school competition in early 2019, with hopes of creating a piece of artwork that would be forever be etched in Hawthorn history. From footprints signifying the journey players embark on to achieve their AFL dreams, to a layer embodying the wider brown and gold family, supporters and members, the intricate design is stacked full of unique symbolism.
MELBOURNE
Neville Jetta designed the club's 2020 Indigenous guernsey. "My artwork tells a story of connection, having a deep ancestral bond allows us to care and understand who we are, where we are from and where we are going."
NORTH MELBOURNE
Depicted on the fabric of North's 2020 Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey are the powerful totems of its Aboriginal AFL players; Jed Anderson (Honey Ant), Paul Ahern (Lizard), Jy Simpkin (Turtle), Kyron Hayden (Salt Water) and Tarryn Thomas (Goanna & Emu). Designed by Gunmok woman and artist Lorraine Kabbindi White, 'Never Surrender' pays homage to the players' deep connection with culture and respect of their country. The background details freshwater and saltwater countries merging, symbolising the coming together of all different cultures.
PORT ADELAIDE
Designed by Kaurna custodian Karl 'Winda' Telfer, the design aims to retell the stories of old and open up new conversations around Indigenous relations. Small boomerangs carry the names of each of the 62 Indigenous players who have represented the club.
RICHMOND
Shai Bolton created the Tigers' 2020 Indigenous jumper. Dreaming, connection, gathering, strength and determination are the key themes Bolton represents in his guernsey design. Bolton represents his own journey and dreaming, along with Richmond's five other Aboriginal players, and tells the story of the club's recent on-field success throughout the design.
ST KILDA
Young gun Matt Parker designed St Kilda's 2020 Indigenous jumper. The guernsey represents his family, his ancestors and his heritage as a Noongar/Yuet man from the Ballardong region, and signifies how they are always protecting him through his journey in life, as an AFL footballer and as a father.
SYDNEY
Sydney will again wear its famous black Swan which was first unveiled in 2018. The striking design tells the story of the black swan, Guunyu, inspired by the artwork of leading NSW artist Cheryl Davison. Her work, based on stories from the elders in her community, has been exhibited nationally and internationally.
WEST COAST
The 'Wings of an Eagle' Indigenous jumper was designed by WA artist Darryl Bellotti, who was inspired by traditional Aboriginal ceremonial practice. "Song, dance & ceremony are an essential part of Aboriginal culture. It's how we pay tribute to the land & spirit of our ancestors."
WESTERN BULLDOGS
The 2019 jumper's design was created by renowned Indigenous artist Nathan Patterson.The personal story of Brett Goodes (brother of Swans champion Adam) is the inspiration and told through themes of family, culture and club. Goodes has a long association with the Bulldogs through a number of roles.