Andrew McLeod and his brother Jonathan behind design for Crows’ indigenous guernsey

What started out as a bit of fun between Andrew McLeod and his brother Jonathan has ended up on Adelaide’s guernsey for the AFL’s Indigenous Round this month.

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What started out as a bit of fun between Andrew McLeod and his brother Jonathan has ended up on Adelaide’s guernsey for the AFL’s indigenous round this month.

McLeod is behind the design which features a Torres Strait Islander head piece — known as a ‘dhoeri’ — as well as 18 tuna fish to symbolise the 18 Crows players on the field during a game.

Adelaide’s 2019 indigenous guernsey by designer Andrew McLeod, middle. From left to right, indigenous players Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, Ben Davis, Tyson Stengle, Wayne Milera, Eddie Betts and Shane McAdam. Picture: Matt Turner.

“The design represents cultural ties and my brother and I thought it would be a nice idea to create one for the footy club,” McLeod said.

“It incorporates elements of island life, things that represent who we are and the Kaurna shield to show our respect that we are on their country.

“I worked on it with Jonathan, he does this sort of thing in his spare time and brings the magic, then we showed a few people at the club and it went from there.”

Indigenous midfielder Cameron Ellis-Yolmen, who has played the last four games this season, including Saturday night’s Showdown, said he would be honoured to wear the jumper against West Coast in Round 10.

“I love it, it’s awesome to show indigenous culture and it’s a chance for players and their families to express themselves.

“We got first look at this design and it’s great to see how it is produced and the story behind it.”

Ellis-Yolmen came into the Crows’ team in Round 4 and has been used effectively by coach Don Pyke as a tagger in the midfield.

“I’m really happy with how things are going,” he said.

“I feel like I’m playing my role and that’s been to try to stop some of the bigger-bodied mids like (Ben) Cunnington and (Nat) Fyfe around stoppages.”

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