As we near Rounds 10 and 11, the AFL competition will take a moment to recognise the contributions of the Indigenous people to the game over a two-week block, dedicated to Sir Doug Nicholls.

All 18 clubs have specifically designed guernseys to commemorate the fortnight of football, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Nicholls lived in the 20th century and was a major catalyst for reconciliation, becoming the first Aboriginal Australian to be knighted in 1972.

He also played for Northcote and Fitzroy in the 1920s and 1930s, as well as representing Victoria in football.

Nicholls was a VFA premiership player for Northcote in 1929 and coached them in 1947.

Below are the write-ups from the clubs detailing the meanings and reasoning behind the designs.

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Kuwarna (Adelaide)

Kuwarna have unveiled its 2025 First Nations guernsey, designed by former player and Wirangu man Graham Johncock and Wirangu artist Aunty Christine Tschuna.

The guernsey design tells his story from growing up on the far west coast of South Australia to playing juniors at Mallee Park and SANFL at Port Magpies before being drafted by Kuwarna with Pick No.67 in the 2000 National Draft, and eventually returning to Mallee Park at the end of his AFL career.

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