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.
Waalitj Marawar (West Coast)
The West Coast Eagles have revealed their First Nations jumper for Sir Doug Nicholls round, designed by Wongutha man Kevin Wilson and Maduwongga and Noongar woman Taryn Woods.
This season's design highlights the importance of family and connection, featuring totems of each of our First Nations players' families, along with several connections to the club.
One striking element of the design is '56 sharp points', representing the First Nations players drafted since the Eagles' inception, symbolising the strong warriors who paved the way, and continue to watch over the players carrying the legacy.
The kangaroo and emu were designed by Woods, symbolising the players always moving forward and progressing as a team.
Families and connections ✨
Designed by Wongathai man Kevin Wilson and Maduwongga and Noongar woman Taryn Woods our 2025 jumper features the totems of each of our players' families and several connections with the club.
🖤💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/woFfSS1wsu— Waalitj Marawar (@WestCoastEagles) May 5, 2025






