AFL greats praise ‘special’ Welcome to Country to kick off Indigenous Round

AFL greats and commentators have lauded “special” scenes in Darwin as a Welcome to Country kicked off the league’s Indigenous Round.

AFL greats have lauded “special” scenes in Darwin as the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round officially got underway.

Before the Gold Coast Suns vs Hawthorn game got underway, the teams stood under the Maurice Rioli Stand at TIO Stadium for a Welcome to Country ceremony.

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“As we come to together during Sir Doug Nicholls, I’d like to acknowledge the past players and the current players for leading the way for the next generation of Indigenous players for this great game that we all love, AFL,” a local Indigenous representative said.

“For thousand of years, we’ve called this place home. We are the Larrakia people, the saltwater people. This is the Larrakia country, and we are the Larrakia people.

“Under the souls of our feet, always was and always be Aboriginal land of the Larrakia people. We invite you to walk with us. On behalf of the Larrakia elders, we welcome you and the Gold Coast Suns football club and the Hawthorn football club.”

A traditional Indigenous dance was then conducted, which you can watch in the video above.

A Welcome to Country ceremony was held before the Gold Coast vs Hawthorn game in Darwin. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Footy greats described the pre-match scenes as “special”.. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Ceremony and dancing for the opening of Indigenous Round at TIO Stadium in Darwin. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Fox Footy host Sarah Jones said: “Guys, how beautiful was that.”

Four-time premiership player Shaun Burgoyne said: “It’s always beautiful when you get a Welcome to Country like that and it’s launching Sir Doug Nicholls Round.”

Indigenous AFL icon Eddie Betts added: “It’s very special and it’s different.

“Wherever you go in different communities all over Australia there’s thousands of tribes — it’s all about learning, growing. They’ve welcome us here to Larrakia Country and performed that dance, that was pretty special. Really looking forward to tonight. Hoping it’s going to be a great game.”

Indigenous players from the Suns (Joel Jeffery, Ben Long, Daniel Rioli, Malcolm Rosas) and Hawks (Karl Amon) then met at the centre circle to exchange gifts at the coin toss.

Premiership players Jack Riewoldt and Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy the sight of AFL games being in played in Darwin was fitting for the league.

Ceremony and dancing for the opening of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. (Photo by James Wiltshire/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Gold Coast and Hawthorn players exchange gifts before the game. Photo: Fox Footy.

“Up in Larrakia Country, it’s one of the great places to play AFL footy,” Riewoldt said.

“The Gold Coast Suns have spent a lot of time here, it’s been a very successful hunting ground for them.”

Lewis said: “I love the Hawks going up early and investing in the community and indulging in the culture of the Indigenous community up there in Darwin.

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“Having played up there a couple of times and some community camps there, they’re fantastic people and it gives great insight and meaning to the round, which is Sir Doug Nicholls Round.”

Heading into the game against Hawthorn, the Gold Coast Suns had won all seven of their home games in Darwin since making the move to playing two home games per season their since 2022.

It looked like that trend would continue when the Suns led 9.4 (58) to 7.2 (44) lead at halftime.

Both teams are entrenched in the top eight with the Suns looking to play finals for the first time since joining the AFL in 2011.

Tasmania will join the AFL as the league’s 19th team in 2028, but it’s not expected to be long before a Northern Territory team is added to the competition. as a 20th team.

Adelaide (Kuwarna), Port Adelaide (Yartapuulti), Fremantle (Walyalup), West Coast (Waalitj Marawar), St Kilda (Euro-Yoke) and Melbourne (Narrm) will be referred to by their traditnaional names this weekend.

Originally published as AFL greats praise ‘special’ Welcome to Country to kick off Indigenous Round