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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Naarm (Melbourne)

Kevin Kropinyeri is a proud Ngarrindjeri artist, comedian and sculptor who is the talent behind this year's Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey.  

For many keen Dees fans, the Kropinyeri name would be a familiar one and that's because Kevin also happens to be the father of much-loved Demon Kysaiah Kropinyeri Pickett.  

Ngarrindjeri tradition is key to Kevin's design, with the centre of the artwork displaying a shield. The shield represents warriors and symbolises divine protection, faith and resilience.  

Upon the chevron and the back of the jumper is an intricate weaving artwork which has been inspired by the important tradition of the Ngarrindjeri People. 

The process of weaving is a way to share knowledge and bring people together and has been passed down from ancestors, currently still continuing to connect people to this day.  

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