GWS defender Zac Williams reveals why he’ll wear No.67 in Indigenous Round

GWS DEFENDER Zac Williams will wear the No.67 guernsey in Sunday’s clash against West Coast in Perth and reveals the reasons why in an exclusive column.

Zac Williams in GWS’s Indigenous Round guernsey and the special boots he’ll be wearing. Picture: Phil Hillyard

FOR indigenous Australians, 1967 was an incredibly important year.

A referendum voted overwhelmingly to amend the constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to create laws for us.

That’s why I’m wearing No.67 when I run out against the West Coast Eagles in Perth on Sunday.

I’m still shocked to think it was only 50 years ago that we were included in the census under plants and animals and not as people.

I’ll be enormously proud to wear a special guernsey designed by Rheanna Lotter. It looks fantastic and tells the story of what happened half a century ago and what has happened since.

Zac Williams in GWS’s Indigenous Round guernsey and the special boots he’ll be wearing. Picture: Phil Hillyard

I also have some pretty special boots created by Luke Penrith, who came up with our guernsey for last year’s Indigenous Round.

He did a great job so this year — Nathan Wilson, Jeremy Finlayson and I asked if he could design some boots for us. He’s also designing Buddy Franklin’s boots as well.

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My boots tell the story about the journey I made from Narrandera to Sydney to play football — there are two pink circles which represent my mum Joy and my sister Samantha.

I have enormous respect for our artists and their talent. When I was living in Narrandera I did a bit of painting with my Pop. You have to be enormously patient and I’m not the best at that.

Zac Williams and his pop, Edward 'Smoky' Murray.

My pop’s name is Edward “Smoky” Murray. He has been a great support for me through my career — he loves the footy and travels all over the country to watch the Giants play, usually with my mum.

I love having him at the games when he’s there — Perth might be a stretch this weekend but who knows?

It’s going to be a great week celebrating Indigenous Round, there are so many great players.

Shaun Burgoyne has been one of my favourites over the years — I followed him and his brother Peter when they were at Port Adelaide and what he has done at Hawthorn is fantastic. He is a great leader.

Zac Williams has been a standout off halfback for the Giants this year. Picture: Phil Hillyard

The AFL is doing a great job with Indigenous Round and letting players celebrate by wearing their special jumpers and boots.

It’s important to share we can understand each other and this helps to close the gap with our culture.

This is a very big year for us with the 50-year anniversary of the 1967 referendum and gives us the chance to promote its importance.

Having the wider community learn about our history helps educate and bring us all closer together.

Originally published as GWS defender Zac Williams reveals why he’ll wear No.67 in Indigenous Round