Guernsey Indigenous Tournament for each AFLW side in 2024

AFLW Indigenous Round 5 takes place this weekend, with Darwin hosting the Dreamtime premiership points decider between Richmond and Essendon for the first time.

This year’s theme is “Spirit is strong, the game is on.” Each club will wear a special Guernsey kit and six clubs will change their names to their traditional names in their native language.

Let’s take a look at what’s behind each club’s design, dedicated to the ground they play our game on.

Kuvarna (Adelaide Crows)

Developed by: Men’s team forward Izak Rankin, who worked alongside his cousin, artist Harley Hall, as they celebrated their shared Ngarrindjeri heritage.

Meaning: While highlighting key aspects of their heritage as Ngarrindjeri people, it also references Rankin’s football journey spanning his childhood in South Australia, moving to the Gold Coast and returning to Adelaide as a Crow. The cover features the names of all former and current Indigenous players in Adelaide. The AFL, SANFL and now the AFLW team have all worn the same design.

Brisbane Lions

Developed by: Renee Wilson, relative of men’s player Charlie Cameron.

Meaning: The AFLW team, called the Merry Dilangka Story, will wear the same uniform as the men, symbolizing their unity as one club. The design represents the past, present and future. The past is represented by the first three people to land on Mornington Island, the present depicts the land and the main source of food, as well as an allusion to the Stolen Generation and the influence it still has on the people of Lardil. The future is represented by a work of art that symbolizes preserving culture and land and passing on traditions to children.

Carlton

Developed by: Stuart James (cousin of Zach Williams from the men’s program).

Meaning: The painting is called “Ngiyanhi”, which means “we are all”. Includes elements of the club’s history and elements of Wiradjuri culture, as well as totems of the three Indigenous AFL players included in the 2024 roster. For the first time, all four Carlton teams (VFL, VFLW, AFL and AFLW) will wear the same indigenous Guernsey kit. to represent one club.

Collingwood

Developed by: Uncle Trevor Davies, Whadjuka, Ballardong, Wilman, Wonga and Noongar man (father of former Collingwood player and Collingwood cultural development manager Leon Davies).

Meaning: The painting, titled “Healing,” represents the healing process the Club has experienced in recent years. The symbolism of the rain symbolizes the cleansing of the club, and at the center of the artwork is the Collingwood Football Club, a meeting place for all people from all over the country where they come together to share their experiences, and the footprints symbolize the traveling people. to the club.

Essendon

Developed by: Tiwi artist Russellina Puruntathameri.

Meaning: The design takes inspiration from the deep Tiwi legend, the tale of Purrupali. Purrupali took his son to the sea (winga), where Vayai, Japarra’s grieving mother, cries every night. It symbolizes the Tiwi people’s strong connection to their land, sea and ancestors. The inclusion of sunrises and sunsets symbolizes the eternal cycle of life and the importance of the Arringu (Rock) of Melville and Bathurst Islands as protectors of the Tiwi people.

Wallalup (Fremantle Dockers)

Developed by: Former Walyalup AFLW player Tia Toth and her sister Brianna Haynes.

Meaning: The Jumper chronicles Toth’s football career: He played 24 games for Vallaloup from 2017 to 2022, facing numerous injury setbacks along the way. “For me, the story is more about my journey through the ballclub and obviously being able to come back twice and being fortunate enough to get drafted again after a couple of injuries,” Toth said. Wallyalup

Geelong

TBD

Gold Coast Suns

Developed by: Yugambe and Bundjalung artists Christine Slabb and Kyle Slabb.

Meaning: The design worn by both the men’s and women’s programs is inspired by Garrara, the linguistic name for the long lagoon that ran from south to north along what is today known as the Gold Coast. Feather motifs include Bilin-Bilin (rainbow lorikeet), Dun-Dun (swamp pheasant) and Mibin (eagle).

GWS Giants

TBD

Hawthorn

Developed by: Whadjuk, Ballardong and Eastern Arrernte artist Jade Dolman.

Meaning: The design tells the story of Hawthorn’s journey to the AFLW and three Indigenous players in the club’s history: Caitlin Ashmore, Mattea Breed and Janet Baird, who are represented by three circles. The three lines between them represent the three fundamental principles: people, football and sustainability. The back of Guernsey shows the rain that nurtures the seeds of growth and development, and people coming together to celebrate football and sustainability, surrounded by community and football fans.

Narm (Melbourne)

Developed by: Mali Isabel is an Arabana and Kokata artist living in Kaurna country.

Meaning: The design, called “My Heart Beats True”, was first introduced when the men’s team wore it during the Sir Doug Nicholls round. Mali’s design centers around the heart and tells the story of her little brother and passionate Demons KC Melbourne Herriman-Place fan. Following cardiomyopathy, his first cardiac arrest when he was just 11 years old, KC underwent a heart transplant in 2020. The family says the club played an important role in their healing journey.

North Melbourne

Developed by: Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji and Taungurung artist Emma Bamblett.

Meaning: The work, titled The Way of the Kangaroo, is inspired by North Melbourne Indigenous players and their existence on Wurundjeri country. At the base of Guernsey are traditional stripes with symbols that pay tribute and respect to Bunjil and the Wurundjeri people, the traditional owners of the land on which Arden Street Oval is located. Kangaroo tracks throughout the design symbolize the club’s journey. The one and a half holes with the Sherrin symbol symbolize the waters surrounding the Arden Street Oval and, of course, football.

Yartapulti (Port Adelaide)

Developed by: Yartapulti midfielder Jasmine Stewart.

Meaning: Stewart incorporated artwork created by her late grandfather into her design, which pays homage to the story of her Nan, who was forcibly taken from her family as a child as part of the Stolen Generation.

Richmond

Developed by: Maurice Rioli Jr. and his mother Alberta Kerinauya.

Meaning: The design, worn by the Sode men earlier this year, speaks to the deep connection between the Rioli family and Richmond Football Club. Maurice Rioli Snr made 118 appearances for Richmond and was a Norm Smith and Jack Dyer medalist. Accordingly, the two family totems – turtle (father) and crocodile (mother) – symbolize family ties to the Tiwi Islands, just 100km north of where the AFLW Dreamtime match will be played.

Euro-Irok (St Kilda)

Developed by: Wagyemana man and Indigenous artist Nathan Patterson.

Meaning: The design depicts the water and waves of Port Phillip Bay moving towards the sandy shore and coastal vegetation further inland; all meet as one land under the Euro-Iroca stripes. There is also a symbol of a crowd heading towards a central gathering place, in this case a club.

Sydney Swans

Developed by: Artist and GO Foundation alumna Lua Pellegrini is a proud Wiradjuri woman.

Meaning: Pellegrini becomes the first artist to design Marne Grouk’s guernseys for both Swans teams. The front of the new design features the AFLW team, with circles showing that they are surrounded by people from the community who come together to support them.

Waalij Marawar (West Coast Eagles)

Developed by: Yamatji artist Loretta Egan (lifelong Eagles fan and niece of famous actor Ernie Dingo).

Meaning: The design, called “Ngularl” (wedge-tailed eagle in the Wajarri language), features an eagle surrounded by a map of Western Australia, facing east and “ready for whatever comes its way”, the artist said. “The circle in the center represents the Eagles’ nest. The U-shapes around the circle represent the people sitting around the Eagles’ house. The four stars represent the four premierships we have won.” Eagle Footprints shows how players leave their mark.

Western Bulldogs

Developed by: Tarney Jarvis is a woman from Djab Wurrong, Kirrae Wurrong and Peak Worrong who lives on Wadawurrung Country in Ballarat.

Meaning: Featuring the same design as the men’s program, the Bulldogs Guernsey team was inspired by Victoria’s west. For the first time in the club’s history, two different Guernsey teams were created, one for the home kit and the other for the away game. The traditional hoops have been replaced by river paths, symbolizing the connection between the different countries of the west, and the arches below symbolize the mountain ranges next to which the communities are represented. The same river beds can be seen in the background.