Welcome to a special mid-week edition of the AFL Beat.  The Indigenous Round is always one of my favorite Rounds as each team comes up with designs that reflect the culture of the Indigenous people of Australia in an effort to recognize the contributions that Indigenous people have made to the game and to Australia in general.  Some teams come up with new designs each year while others use fan favorites again.  Let’s take a look at this year’s designs and a blurb describing the concept of the guernsey:

Adelaide Crows

Kuwa Irrapina Tuwila nakurri-apinga – ‘Awaken the Crow Warrior Spirit’

The Adelaide Crows 2017 Indigenous Guernsey features symbols of the warrior preparing for battle and harnessing a sacred connection with the land. The Kuwa Irrapina Tuwila nakurri-apinga Guernsey aims to inspire and awaken the warrior spirit and is steeped in deep spiritual meaning and tradition. The Crows 2017 Indigenous Guernsey features the Kaurna shield, spears and boomerang while the background image is of a crow taking up arms in preparation for battle. The dots in the Indigenous Guernsey show the bringing together of people around the sports field, including fans, members, delegates, stakeholders and team members, all joining together to deliver AFL Premiership success for the Adelaide Crows. The red and yellow lines are enhanced by the dots and symbolise both the iconic Adelaide waterways as well as the continuing journey of the Adelaide Football Club

Brisbane Lions

Show your support for the Brisbane Lions during the 2017 Toyota AFL Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round with this Brisbane Lions Indigenous Guernsey, designed by Janelle McQueen. The front features the southern cross on the shoulder and three boomerangs over an oval field (the Gabba in the shape of an Aboriginal warrior’s shield) representing our merged Club. The back pays homage to Sir Doug Nicholl’s life journey (past Fitzroy player and namesake of AFL Indigenous Round) and the many paths he took in his life to make change for all Australians. The AFL Indigenous Round celebrates the wealth of Aboriginal player talent in the AFL and the Brisbane Lions 2017 Indigenous Guernsey is the perfect piece of merchandise to wear to show your support for the Brisbane Lions.

Carlton Blues

Carlton Football Club has today proudly unveiled its 2017 Indigenous Guernsey, honouring Blues champion and dual premiership player, Syd Jackson. In conjunction with apparel partner Nike, the guernsey was designed by Indigenous artist Trevor Pickett, a distant relative of current Blues player Jarrod Pickett.  Depicting the life and story of Jackson, the front of the guernsey features seven boomerangs, representing the Roeland Southwest Native Mission on Seven Hills Road where he was taken as part of the Stolen Generation.  The footprints on the guernsey showcase Jackson leaving alone on his journey to the east to pursue football and the five footprints symbolise the number five that he made famous when playing for the Blues.

Collingwood Magpies

Celebrate the Indigenous history of the Collingwood Magpies with this Collingwood Magpies 2017 Men’s Indigenous Guernsey. The Magpies Indigenous Jersey has a fully sublimated design while the micro eyelets draw heat away from your body and promote cooling, making the Jersey perfect for training and game day. The Collingwood Indigenous Jersey features custom artwork across the front and the back and represents coming together as one community linked by a love of footy. The AFL Indigenous Round celebrates the wealth of Aboriginal player talent in the AFL and the Collingwood Magpies 2017 Men’s Indigenous Guernsey is the ideal choice of merchandise to wear to show your love for the Pies.

Essendon Bombers

Celebrate the Indigenous culture of the Essendon Bombers with this Essendon Bombers 2017 Men’s Indigenous Guernsey. The Bombers Indigenous Jersey has a fully sublimated design while the micro eyelets draw heat away from your body and promote cooling, making the Jersey perfect for training and game day. The Essendon Bombers Indigenous Jersey features a red coloured design across the front and the back and represents coming together as one community linked by a love of footy. The Dreamtime at the G logo represents the Richmond v Essendon game played during the AFL Indigenous Round. The AFL Indigenous Round celebrates the wealth of Aboriginal player talent in the AFL and the Essendon Bombers 2017 Men’s Indigenous Guernsey is the ideal choice of merchandise to wear to show your love for the Bombers.

Fremantle Dockers

Display your team colours during the AFL Indigenous Round with the Fremantle Dockers 2017 Men’s Indigenous Guernsey. The Dockers Indigenous Jersey has a fully sublimated design while the micro eyelets draw heat away from your body and promote cooling, making the Jersey perfect for training and game day. The Fremantle Indigenous Jersey features Indigenous artwork across the front and 3 white Boomerangs that represent the people of Fremantle coming together as one community linked by a love of footy. The AFL Indigenous Round celebrates the wealth of Aboriginal player talent in the AFL and wearing the Fremantle Dockers 2017 Men’s Indigenous Guernsey is the perfect way to show your passion for the Dockers.

Geelong Cats

The design, created by indigenous artist Nathan Patterson, tells the story of the local region and the Wathaurong people. “The centre piece represents a meeting place.” Patterson said. “In the circle is a silhouette of the You Yangs, below the mountains is the Barwon River which flows into the ocean. Behind the You Yangs is the rising sun, representing Kardinia Park, which in Waddawurrung language means “the first ray of light”.”

Gold Coast Suns

The overall design of the Guernsey has been refreshed for 2017 with each current Indigenous player represented by an individual totem. West Australian Callum Ah Chee is embodied by the Sand Plain Wallaby (Kwoka Kwantan) totem, given to him by his nan’s brother and designed by his mother Valerie. “It represents my people back in WA,” Ah Chee told goldcoastfc.com.au. “My pop Jim gave it to me, who’s my nan’s brother. “He [Jim] also said it symbolises the way I play footy, quick and able to get out of small spaces- he thought that was a handy totem to go with.”  The Indigenous Guernsey has once again been designed by local Yugambeh man Luther Cora and features the red dot background, synonymous with the traditional owners of the Gold Coast land.

GWS Giants

The Giants Indigenous Guernsey has a fully sublimated design manufactured from 100% performance Polyester with moisture wicking fabric technology, ideal for game day and training. The GWS Giants Indigenous Guernsey features a white coloured background with unique Indigenous artwork in the middle of the letter ‘G’ and on the back of the Guernsey. The Indigenous design represents coming together as one community linked by a love of footy, while the dots and hands artwork represent the stories of the Indigenous GWS Giants players. The AFL Indigenous Round celebrates the wealth of Aboriginal player talent in the AFL and the GWS Giants 2017 Men’s Replica White Indigenous Guernsey is perfect for match day as you cheer on the Giants to victory.

Hawthorn Hawks

Show off your Hawks colours with this 2017 men’s Indigenous Guernsey, a replica of the jersey worn by the Hawthorn players. The Aboriginal graphics on this Hawks Indigenous Guernsey recognises the growing depth of indigenous peoples and talent they contribute into our beloved game.

Melbourne Demons

Get behind the AFL Indigenous round with the Melbourne Demons 2017 Guernsey, Featuring the vibrant Aboriginal artwork providing a unique take on the Demons home kit range. Lightweight performance polyester with patented New Balance dry moisture wicking technology perfect for supporting the boys at the Indigenous game or whilst at a mates.

North Melbourne Kangaroos

North’s players have collaborated with talented artist Sarrita King to produce another stunning Indigenous jumper. Along with the Roos’ apparel partner, Canterbury, Lindsay Thomas, Jed Anderson and former club champion Daniel Wells helped design another unique piece steeped in deep meaning and tradition. “We’ve had some great indigenous jumpers over the past few years, but this one is particularly special to us,” Thomas explained. “We wanted something that represented all the Indigenous players that have pulled on the North jumper over the decades. Sarrita’s circles represent the various tribes we are all from.

Port Adelaide Power

Celebrate the diversity in AFL with this Port Adelaide Power Indigenous Guernsey 2017. The jersey has a fully sublimated design and features the AXIS fabric technology which provides optimum comfort balanced with an unparalleled weight to strength ratio. The Port Adelaide Guernsey features custom Aboriginal artwork across the front and the back which is based off an art piece by Nathan Krakouer; depicting a story about the aboriginal people and the Dreamtime – spiritual connection to the rich lands, animals, plants and people.The neckline has been constructed using 3 piece design to enhance the Guernsey’s fit and offers a tailored cut providing the closest thing to what your AFL heroes are wearing on game day.

Richmond Tigers

The 2017 Richmond Tigers Indigenous Guernsey seamlessly blends the home strip with vibrant Aboriginal artwork. The 7th edition of the Dreamtime Guernsey was designed with Aboriginal artist Josh Muir capturing a story of Peace, Love and Unity. The garment is constructed with a mid weight polyester and micro eyelets from Dry Cell Puma fabric tech, helping to draw heat away from your body to keep you cool and dry. The neckline has been constructed using 2 piece design to enhance the Richmond FC jersey fit and offers a tailored feel to help you cheer on the boys at the AFL game.

St. Kilda Saints

The 2017 St Kilda Football Club indigenous guernsey represents the land of the Yorta Yorta people, a tribute to the area from which Saints’ forward Jade Gresham’s family hails. The traditional St Kilda tri-colour have been adjusted on the guernsey 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. A homage to the Murray River, featuring two long-neck turtles, flows horizontally through the design, further showcasing the history of the Yorta Yorta people. Jade and his mother, Michelle, played a key role in designing this year’s guernsey.

Michelle Gresham explained the relevance of the feature pieces, saying they mean far more than just decoration. “The Yorta Yorta people traditionally lived in the area surrounding the junction of the Goulburn and Murray Rivers,” Mrs Gresham said. “Now we’re spread right across north-eastern Victoria and southern New South Wales, but the Murray and the long neck turtle will always represent our heritage. “To have this shown on the guernsey that my son and his teammates will wear is incredibly special; it means so much to my family and I.”

Sydney Swans

The 2017 Sydney Swans Indigenous guernsey pays homage to the Club’s original Indigenous guernsey designed by Lisa Sansbury, mother of Sydney Swans champion, Adam Goodes. The artwork seen on the guernsey represents the Indigenous communities of Sydney. It tells the tale of Indigenous people coming together around Sydney’s harbour and estuaries, portraying the way of life that many Sydneysiders experience today. The Sydney Swans will wear the 2017 Indigenous guernsey in the annual Marn Grook at the SCG clash taking place on Friday May 26, 2017 against Hawthorn. The Sydney Swans Marn Grook match honours the Indigenous roots of Australian football and recognises the valuable contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to our great game.

West Coast Eagles

Get behind your team with this replica 2017 West Coast Eagles Guernsey which will be worn by the players during Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round. The Guernsey is an updated Eagle with colour scheme flipped from the previous year’s edition. Dry Cell Puma fabric tech helps to provide that superior guernsey feel for the wearer.

Western Bulldogs

The Bulldogs guernsey was developed by a group of Ballarat indigenous artists named The Pitcha Makin Fellas, and it continues the strong ties the Bulldogs have with the regional city. The figure in the centre of the guernsey, known as the Great Black Pointer, is pointing the way for all, giving direction and showing a path to follow. Stevens and Joel Hamling, the only current Bulldogs with indigenous heritage, spent time with group during the design process. “The jumper symbolises an elder statesman within the community showing leadership and good guidance to the younger people,” Stevens said.  “It’s a big thing within our community to show leadership to the younger people growing up.”

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As you can see, there are a lot of really cool designs.  Some teams (looking at you, Sydney and West Coast) basically repeated previous designs while others (looking at you, Collingwood and St. Kilda) kinda mailed it in. I think my personal favorites are the GWS Giants, Port Adelaide Power, Brisbane Lions, and North Melbourne Kangaroos guernseys.  The Port guernsey looks like it has a trail emanating from my penis.

You may also be wondering, what’s with the 67? Well, the number is in honour of the 1967 Australian Referendum that saw discriminatory language against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people removed from the constitution.  The more you know…

Which one is your favorite?