Salisbury North celebrates Indigenous Round with Gavin Wanganeen, Michael O’Loughlin

AFL legends will help celebrate Indigenous culture when an Adelaide club hosts a historic event on Saturday — and you won’t believe what's planned.

A division two Adelaide Footy League club will host its first ever Indigenous Round on Saturday as it battles to avoid relegation.

Spearheaded by returning coach Eugene Warrior, the Salisbury North Football Club will welcome back footy legends Gavin Wanganeen and Michael O’Loughlin for the historic day as it takes on Unley Mercedes Jets.

The club – established in 1954 – has played host to countless young Indigenous players through the years including eventual AFL players Warrior, Wanganeen, O’Loughlin, his brother Ricky O’Loughlin, Troy and Shane Bond, and Shane Tongerie.

Wanganeen, who won an AFL premiership and Brownlow Medal with Essendon and a premiership with Port Adelaide, was excited for the occasion.

“I played for the Hawks through my junior years until about U15s and I’ve got so many great memories and lifelong friends from my time at the club,” Wanganeen said.

Gavin Wanganeen and daughter Lulu with Eugene Warrior and Salisbury North players ahead of Indigenous Round at the club. The players are wearing the indigenous guernsey they designed for the weekend. Picture: Matt Turner.

“It’s always been a club which has supported and developed young Indigenous talent and to be able to return and be part of such a meaningful event is a great honour.”

Wanganeen, who did not get to experience Indigenous Round as a player, said having celebrations at the professional and the local level were important in spreading awareness and appreciation of Indigenous culture.

“It’s so important and vital in our game, especially for grassroots footy – it starts the conversation and education about our culture and it’s wonderful to see the club really embracing it,” he said.

“It warms my heart to see amateur clubs jumping on board and celebrating First Nations people and their contribution and our society, and being proud of that because it makes us really proud and appreciative in return.”

Sydney Swans legend Michael O’Loughlin will also return to Salisbury North, his junior club, for Saturday’s occasion. Picture: File

Warrior, who returned to the club in the preseason, has had the Hawks in strong form recently as they battle to remain in division two.

He said organising an Indigenous Round was at the top of his bucket list.

“When I got appointed I said I wanted an Indigenous Round, and I think it’s the perfect occasion for us given how many indigenous guys we’ve had come through,” Warrior said.

“It’s going to be really special, our guernsey will be worn by all senior grades and was designed by our indigenous guys, and we’re really hoping for a big turnout from the community to enjoy the festivities.

“We of course want a win at the end of the day but the whole celebration is also really important to us.”

Hawks coach Eugene Warrior promised a spectacular Saturday for the club and for local footy. Picture: Stephen Laffer

While the Adelaide Footy League does not have an established Indigenous Round, chief John Kernahan said allowing clubs like Salisbury North the freedom to hold such an event when it chose to was the best option.

“The current albeit liberal approach of offering support yet freedom for our clubs to carve their own cultural traditions or any genre has proven to be positive,” Kernahan said.

“We are really proud of the manner in which our clubs pursue their common interests collaboratively and Eugene Warrior has done a mountain of work to bring this together at Salisbury North and has served his community exceptionally well.”

The day will begin with a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony before the footy kicks off in the early afternoon.