AFLW 2023: Aliesha Newman’s bittersweet moment after designing Swans Indigenous guernsey

Swans star Aliesha Newman’s design for the club’s Indigenous guernsey tells a powerful story, but unfortunately she won’t be able to wear it this weekend.

The Swans will be running out for their clash against Hawthorn with a guernsey designed by their own player, Aliesha Newman. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Aliesha Newman admits she’ll shed a tear from the grandstand at Henson Park on Saturday afternoon.

The 28-year-old forward will be watching on as her Swans teammates take on Hawthorn in their Marn Grook guernsey for the AFLW’s Indigenous Round.

But the jumper carries more significance for Newman as it’s her design that is emblazoned on it.

A proud Ningy Ningy woman, Newman was asked by the club to take on this year’s creation. Unfortunately, it has turned into a bittersweet moment as she’s been ruled out of the clash through concussion.

“I’ve had my moment already to realise I won’t be running out there on the weekend,” Newman said. “I’m pretty shattered about that … and it’s unfortunate that I’m not able to be out there.

“But at the end of the day, it shows that this round means so much more. It’s not just me and my family, or Jaide (Anthony) in our team as well. But it’s the whole group.

“I’m just over the moon about the fact that I can even be a part of a round like this. To have my jumper that the girls get to wear is even more special.

“I do get overwhelmed in weeks like this, it’s a lot of media and I’m exhausted by the end of it. So it might be nice to sit back and watch the girls. If we can get the win, I might have a few more tears on the ground.”

Aliesha Newman has played 15 matches for the Swans since moving from Collingwood for Sydney’s inaugural season. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Art has always held a special place for Newman. It was both a way to express her creativity throughout school and to connect with her own Indigenous heritage.

She’s previously combined it with her footy career having designed artwork to go on headgear, boots and even an AFLW guernsey with her former club Melbourne that unfortunately wasn’t used because of Covid.

But it’s not lost on Newman the importance of this moment, and it’s why no detail was too much in finding the perfect design.

“I use an app on my iPad, so it’s easier than paper, but I can guarantee you that there was a lot of staring at a blank template,” Newman said.

“I didn’t want to do something that didn’t make any sense to the group. I wanted to replicate what we’re trying to create … and make sure that everyone was included.

“I don’t know too much about NSW and their culture … every mob is different and I wanted to make sure I was respectful of the mobs up here.

“To be able to have my teammates embrace me and embrace our culture as much as they have, it’s been really humbling.”

Aliesha Newman led the Swans out for their Marn Grook game at the SCG in 2022. Picture: Phil Hillyard

After discussions with local elders and plenty of drafts that didn’t see the light of day, the end result ties in many different elements.

The large yarning circle on the front of the jumper represents the Swans’ AFLW side, which is connected to smaller yarn circles that highlight groups such as family and support staff that have helped the team get where they are.

There are also 29 yarns on the top section of the guernsey which represent the 29 clans of the Eora nation in Sydney.

While the design is striking and has already received plenty of praise, Newman hopes it sparks a much wider conversation.

“I’m glad I did it on the white background because it really pops,” Newman said. “It all tells a story, and I think to be able to incorporate all of that in, there’s not really one part that makes it more special – it’s the jumper as a whole.

“When you look at Indigenous art, it’s always, ‘This is beautiful’, or, ‘It’s really cool’. I want people to be able to actually read about the jumper, read about the design and understand the meaning behind the design.”

Newman has already had the chance to show the guernsey to her own family. Her mum, Noraine, was particularly proud but quickly put in a follow-up request – ‘How many can we get and when can we get them?’.

But it’s Noraine’s words years ago that have always stuck close. Newman spent time in Alice Springs earlier this year helping Indigenous communities, a partnership she started during her time at the Demons, and she hopes actions like that, and designing this jumper, will continue to have a big impact.

“Mum always taught us growing up that you should never forget where you came from,” Newman said. “A legacy that I would like to leave is … engaging with the kids and giving back to communities that have given back to me.

“Even on the weekend against Port Adelaide, I saw three of four people with my jumper just walking around. It’s a really nice feeling.

“Hopefully I get up for next week in Melbourne where most of my family live anyway, so it would be special if I could wear it against the Bulldogs.”

Originally published as AFLW 2023: Aliesha Newman’s bittersweet moment after designing Swans Indigenous guernsey