Evening. Five posts in one month from this guy? I guess you all can’t get rid of me.
This past weekend was the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, and while you may recognize that term from Balls’s previous writeups, I thought maybe tonight I could do an homage to BeerGuyRob and try and learn you a thing or two. The problem is that I’m none of the following: Australian, aboriginal, historian, educator, qualified in any way to talk about the complicated issue of reconciliation between indigenous peoples and their colonizers through the lens of sports or anything else.
When you hear Sir Doug Nicholls Round, your first thought (for the subset of people who aren’t immediately confused) is “oooh, those are the cool jerseys, right?” Right, except they’re called guernseys or jumpers, ya clown. Unfortunately, I’m REALLY tired, and since the Sir Doug Nicholls round is not just one round but two (don’t ask me), why don’t we start with fashion and then get to history in a future post? Let’s take a quick spin through the laundry.
One of the things I really appreciate about the AFL is that it isn’t just superficial, like the NFL’s pinkwashing (and just about everything else the International Disgrace does). There’s a personal connection to the guernsey designs that goes beyond checking a box by doing something “tribal.” Take the story behind Adelaide’s jersey:
The Crows’ guernsey, with a primary theme being connection, features a family link with AFLW premiership player Danielle Ponter. It has been designed by Anmatyerr educator and artist April Napangardi Campbell from the Ti Tree community in the Northern Territory. Campbell is Ponter’s Aunty and the two met recently in Adelaide. Their family lost connection when Ponter’s grandfather on her mother’s side was forcibly removed from traditional lands as a two-year-old.
Brisbane’s uni was designed by two retired Lions players and it also looks pretty damn cool (though I like Adelaide’s better).
In years past, Bobby Hill had designed one for the Giants that I ended up buying, looks like his new team decided to hire professionals instead but still spotlight Bobby on the promotional materials:
Gold Coast DID have a current player design their jumper for this year, and NGL, I think it’s awesome when a player shows this much range and it ends up looking cool:
Similarly, an active AFLW player designed West Coast’s guernsey, though the Hungry Jack sponsor slot undercuts it just a skosh.
Port Adelaide is another team where a former player took the reins on the design:
Richmond, I believe, is the only team, where an Assistant Coach did the design. Check out this story (and result):
Richmond’s guernsey for the annual Dreamtime at the ‘G clash is designed by assistant coach Xavier Clarke and his family. The artwork on the sash is from an original painting from Clarke’s uncle Timothy Dumoo, and depicts a Wangka (dance) from Clarke’s people, the Marri Ammu Marri Tjevin clan of the Moyle River floodplains. The Wangka tells the story of Elders calling out to their ancestors to protect and guide people while on Country. It represents looking after each other and looking after family.
I’m not going to show them all, but a) they’re all here if you want to go through the full list and b) let’s close out with this year’s GWS jumper, which I would wear the shit out of (and may order it if I’m doing another shipment from down under anyway):
Next time, we’ll try and get to the HISTORY part, where we tackle who is Sir Doug Nicholls and why does he get a round (or two)? (Spoiler alert: the answer to this question is here, but I’ll try and TL;DR it when it’s not several hours past my bedtime).
And if you want to know who’s at the top of the ladder after 10 games, unfortunately it ain’t the Giants–
But they’ve been super competitive despite the rebuilding phase and usual rash of injuries, so at least it’s entertaining. Could be worse, I could be a Jets fan.
WHAT’S ON TV TONIGHT?
Weren’t you paying attention? Australian Football or GTFO. If you have THE STONES (or the insomnia) you can stay up til 4:40AM DFO time and watch the Swans play the Blues. Regardless, get the WatchAFL app and a digital membership and start watching this sport, dammit.
FINE you can watch NBA Eastern Conference Finals Action, where the Celtics continue to try to stave off elimination against the Heat, this time at home if a loss in front of the home crowd is more your form of Schadenfreude. (7:30PM DFO time on TNT)
Additionally, the Golden Knights of Las Vegas have a chance to take out their brooms in Dallas, if the Stars align. /ducks tomatoes. That’s at 7PM DFO time on ESPN.
If Béisbol is more your speed, my Cubbies are hosting the Mets at 6:40PM DFO time on ESPN+, otherwise check your local listings. Let’s go GWS!
[…] remind you that as I pointed out last week, I am in no way qualified to teach/provide insights, but that doesn’t tend to stop white […]
Important safety tip from the -shirt Household:
Even though cinnamon, coffee and cake are all better hot, do not put a Fiber One Cinnamon Coffee Cake bar in the microwave. They become slightly combustible after 15 seconds.
Joe Pavelski. Old Guy without a cup
Well, no double sweeps.
I hate Pavelski
I hate elvis
“I hate Pavlov.” – dogs that were in the control group and didn’t get treats
Fuck yeah overtime hockey!!!!
…. that I can’t watch cuz I insisted on cutting the cord
Too bad there isn’t a place ON-line where you could watch HOCKEY.TV can be a pain in the ass sometimes, I dont blame you for cutting the cord.
Phenomenal finale, now overtime hockey? Hot damn!
Free hockey?
Free Hockey.
Robertson/Pietrangelo
Tkachuk somehow
It’s him or Bob that are Conn Smythe favorites right now.
Eichel still has time to make a case.
It’d be …something… if he won a Cup before McJesus.
Edmonton gonna Edmonton
Baseball Game 7 Final Score of 2-1: Boring!
Football Super Bowl Final Score of 6-3: Yawn!
Battlebots Final of (Most Likely) 6-5: THAT WAS AMAZING!
Right decision, but it was close. If Huge didn’t lose that belt, than it could’ve easily gone the other way.
That and the gashes were definitely the difference, but I actually had it 7-4, though I could see 6-5 with aggression swinging the other way.
Honestly, its a good thing they have an 11-point system, because if not, that could’ve easily been a draw.
I’d say the interesting one would have been the old 45-point system, where each judge gave out 15 (5/5/5)
Lets go Cs! I’ll win a cool $20 if they win
BATTLEBOTS FINAL. NOW. LET’S GO (after more fucking commercials).
THIS WORDPRESS I CALL IT A GRANDPARENT WITH ALZHEIMER’S BECAUSE IT HAS A LOT OF TROUBLE REMEMBERING ME AND HAS BEEN KNOWN TO SHIT THE BED ON OCCASION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iqLhdInGrk&ab_channel=grapefruitdiva
I’m just not sure those spiders are ready for some football.
3674715600_57a4e914e4_m_7409.jpg (203×240) (tvtropes.org)
Re, colonial reconciliation: I’m more of a truth commission kinda guy. Although giving back land shouldn’t be asked, you know.
Love LOVE the aboriginal guernsey posts! West Coast is a fave, BK logo approved 📶
Preach!
https://twitter.com/cmcalgary/status/1661904247599038464?s=20
Team Classic Editor!
🤦
Me, going to the restaurant/bar for dinner: “I’ve had over 40 beers, (hop fest samples, mostly), this week. I’m going to stick to water tonight and wait for the actual weekend.
Awesome Bartender Jen: “Hey, I just fucked up and poured the wrong beer for a customer. You want this Counterweight for free?”
Me: “Everything that happens the rest of the night is on you, Jesus. Gimme that free beer.”
Time for some lootin!
Any Whalers flags in the neighborhood?
Not for much longer.
And also BattleBots! One fight currently left in the quarters.
I see Carlton are back in our normal happy (ie, irrelevant) zone. HUZZAH, BLUES!
My Saints started out hot and now will slide down to their usual mediocrity.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oLn3tyqo4E
Even with the new coach!
New coach, we won’t hire the same style as before. No. No? No.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74sSEeD_mMQ
Awesome job! Thank you again for doing the AFL updates. The Doug Nichols Round and the guernsey designs are some of my favourite things about the AFL.
I have a Geelong one that’s pretty awesome from a couple of years ago.
I have too much fun in Chicago, it’s probably healthy I don’t live here anymore, but enjoying my visits to the full
Chicago is a fun town. I’ve lost a few nights there
Awesome Bartender Jen, (see above), is going to Chicago tomorrow. She told us she is going to “raw dog Chicago,” so there’s something to keep an eye out for.
Raw dogging Chi**** = leaving the Lipitor at home
I once tried to “raw dog Sudbury, Ontario”-the doctor I saw afterwards put me on a pill regimen that would make Hippo blush.
Good jorb, Bobby.
They also have Butters!
:large
Aw, geez, I dunno about that, Balls.