As apart of the pre-game celebrations that will include a Welcome to Country performed by a traditional owner from the Whadjuk of the Noongar nation people and a dance conducted by representatives from the Richmond and Essendon Football Clubs, the AFL have announced that artists John Butler, Ziggy Ramo, Sycco and Budjerah will also form part of the entertainment to celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

AFL Executive General Manager of Customer and Commercial Kylie Rogers said the AFL are pleased with the selection of entertainment, via a league statement.

“The Sir Doug Nicholls Round will once again acknowledge and celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our game, we are so pleased to have a mix of Australian and Indigenous artists performing together,” Rogers said

“To have up and coming Indigenous artists like Sycco, Budjerah as well as Ziggy Ramo performing is a real celebration of Aboriginal cultures across one of the biggest nights of the football season.”

John Butler, who lived in Pinjarra as a teenager, spoke about his time living in Pinjarra and what he learnt over his time within the community.

“Living in Pinjarra as a teenager helped introduce me to and help illuminate the injustices Indigenous people face and ignited my passion to speak out about it. But more importantly my time on Pinjarreb Boodja gave me deep and strong respect for Indigenous culture and community." Butler said.

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Butler expressed his honour in being able to perform at the Dreamtime clash and is looking forward to performing alongside some of the best upcoming Indigenous artists.

“The Dreamtime match is a great celebration of how far the game has come and I’m looking forward to performing alongside some incredible Indigenous artists Sycco, Budjerah and Ziggy Ramo who are all so talented. It is great to be back on stage and I’m really looking forward to performing in front of the fans," he said.

PRE-MATCH CELEBRATION SCHEDULE:
5.02pm: Welcome To Country
5.05pm: Budjerah, John Butler and Ziggy Ramo to perform
5.36pm: Richmond Djuripin
5.37pm: Essendon Djuripin
5.40pm: Match Start

HALF-TIME:
Sycco and Ziggy Ramo to perform