Mick Malthouse: The beauty of the Indigenous culture across the AFL

As the Sir Doug Nicholls Round approaches, AFL legend Mick Malthouse reflects on his involvement with Indigenous players across the AFL, and the beauty of their passion for the game.

Collingwood training. Mick Malthouse puts his arm around Leon Leon Davis who was dropped for the GF rematch tomorrow.

With the Sir Doug Nicholls Round approaching, my mind goes back to a time in the 1990s when I visited one of the remotest places in Australia, just south of the Gibson Desert in Western Australia – the Warburton Ranges.

My role as West Coast coach was to interact with the local families and communities who loved their football so much they would travel from town to town, across interstate borders, just to get a game.

I had to provide the football, and the grounds weren’t much – some patchy grass and crooked goalposts – and most of the kids played bare foot. But the skill and speed at which the footy was played astounded me.

They all wore the blue and yellow of the Eagles and wanted me to call them Chris Lewis, Peter Matera, Troy Ugle, David Wirrpanda or Shane Bond – their AFL heroes.

But at the end of the game when I asked who would be prepared to come to Perth to play for West Coast, not one person answered that they would. Perth was too big and too far away. They were happiest travelling around with family and playing footy when they could.

It was an outstanding insight into their culture, sitting with the elders as they spoke of the land and their people. The footy was extraordinary, and the kids loved it, but not enough to leave their community for it.

Mick Malthouse and former Eagle Chris Lewis.

Fast forward a few years to my first training camp as Collingwood coach, in Canberra. Of all the talented AFL hopefuls there, one left a lasting impression. A young kid with a heavy cold, and a hoodie that never came off. Introverted, shy, and very, very skilled. Leon Davis clearly wanted to play football, and clearly could play football.

However, having already moved almost 100km from the West Australian town of Northam to play for the Perth Football Club, convincing him to move to Melbourne was as hard as stopping one of his goals.

That reserved young player became an All-Australian forward and back pocket, and played more than 200 games for the Magpies – joining the likes of Graham “Polly” Farmer, Bill Dempsey, Maurice Rioli, Nicky Winmar, Adam Goodes, Andrew McLeod, Michael Long and Lance Franklin as Indigenous greats of our game.

One of the aforementioned helped lead Australia to a convincing two-game victory over Ireland in Ireland, in one of my favourite ever experiences in football.

For the 2010 International Rules series I wanted players who were eager to represent our country and uphold our Australian values. I had no hesitation in first naming Adam Goodes on the team, and secondly appointing him captain.

Every player down to the youngest team member, Patrick Dangerfield, benefited from Goodes’ football knowledge and generosity as a humble man, and he led our underdog team to a highly successful tour.

Shame on those people who treated Goodes’ terribly at the end of his career, unable to acknowledge his greatness.

Goodes lead the charge in Australia’s successful 2010 International Rules series.

He didn’t want to be a role model, but he became one through playing AFL football.

Young fans idolise the footballers they see doing well on the field. Most AFL players appreciate the fact that they are role models, but many don’t understand the deep impact they have.

The young Indigenous players I have coached were very much influenced by the Indigenous players who played VFL and AFL before them. They wore their colours and numbers with pride. And then they, too, became an inspiration to many – reluctantly, reservedly, quietly.

Franklin, Charlie Cameron, Kozzie Pickett’s and Shai Bolton are heroes who wouldn’t fully realise the influence they have, as they set the standard for future Indigenous players to wow and excite all fans.

The AFL has been outstanding in going out of its way to ensure young Indigenous players from all over Australia have a pathway to the league. With a 19th and no doubt soon, 20th club introduced to the fold, I hope this continues, with pathways also for disadvantaged and underprivileged kids, and those in remote regional areas. There is football talent everywhere and every kid deserves the chance to chase their dream.

Today’s football clubs should be admired and encouraged for their awareness and diligence in understanding cultural differences and acknowledging cultural requirements and needs. Devout Muslim Bachar Houli’s fasting during Ramadan month, while playing for Richmond and Essendon, worked because of the clubs’ acceptance of his faith and his discipline for both faith and football.

(L-R) Bradley Hill with daughter Harriet, Bobby Hill with son Bobby and Jarman Impey are during the 2023 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Launch. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

We had no hesitation at the West Coast Eagles in providing Chris Lewis the space and time off when he needed it from time to time, to clear his mind after coming under unnecessary scrutiny and copping abhorrent racial abuse. Time spent with family and community was healing for him. He came back and delivered in spades on match day when we needed him to perform. I’m proud of him and what he achieved.

The AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls round recognises and celebrates Indigenous players and their culture, reflected in Dreamtime at the ’G which is exciting for all footy fans, and in the teams’ carefully designed Indigenous guernseys.

It’s a chance for those kids of Warburton to see themselves on the MCG stage, as a part of their culture is showcased, and their heroes do them proud at game time.

Because they may not have left home to chase an AFL dream like so many kids do, but the football dream is still alive in their barefoot games on unkept ovals in remote parts of Australia, with grins as wide as the moon and skills to eclipse the very best footballers.

Originally published as Mick Malthouse: The beauty of the Indigenous culture across the AFL