Matt’s design helps Panthers embrace indigenous pride

SOUTH Adelaide player Matt Rankine won’t have any issues picking out his teammates against North Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval this Sunday. After all, he designed their indigenous round guernseys.

SOUTH Adelaide player Matt Rankine won’t have any issues picking out his teammates against North Adelaide at Hickinbotham Oval this Sunday.

The 23-year-old small forward designed the strip the Panthers will wear during the indigenous round match and says he will be full of pride when he and his teammates don the guernsey.

“I’m really proud of my heritage, so I’m proud to be playing in the indigenous round,” Rankine, of Christies Beach, says.

“Then knowing I’ve designed the guernsey that everyone will be wearing is great.

“It’s something I’m really proud of.”

Rankine, 23, spent a week planning the guernsey, which features dot painting on its logo and a boomerang on each side.

It is the first time a player has designed a guernsey to be worn by Panthers players in an indigenous round.

“I jumped at the opportunity to design it, despite not having an art background,” Rankine says.

“I’m pretty happy with it.”

Rankine’s family are part of the Ngarrindjeri and Kokatha people.

Four clubs — South, North, Port and Norwood — will wear indigenous-themed strips this weekend.

Norwood strip was designed by Charles Campbell Secondary College student Khadejia Bright, Port’s was created by artist Scott Cook and North’s was the work of Blackfriars Priory student Brayden Nicol.

South Adelaide had a traditional Aboriginal ceremony on Wednesday night, where the players were cleansed ahead of the match.

Rankine — who crossed to South from West Adelaide last year — is enjoying his most consistent SANFL season and said the match was important as the Panthers aimed to sure up their position in the top five and keep themselves in contention for a double chance.

“It would be great to be third and then to get a second chance in the finals,” he said.

“North Adelaide (will) come out strong so we have to be ready.”