AFL stunned as Tigers perform war dance before Dreamtime at the ‘G

Richmond players have left the footy world with goosebumps as they unexpectedly performed a traditional war cry against Essendon.

Richmond players during tonight’s war cry dance. Photo by Michael Klein.

The AFL has been left stunned as Richmond players performed a “powerful” pre-match war dance before the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash against Essendon on Saturday night.

Tigers stars including Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Shane Edwards and Maurice Rioli were at the centre of the display that left AFL commentators applauding.

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Tigers cult hero Marlion Pickett was also involved, despite being suspended for the match.

Pickett was the inspiration behind the Tigers’ Sir Doug Nicholls Round jersey, but was rubbed out by the AFL tribunal.

Richmond players during tonight’s war cry dance. Photo by Michael Klein.

The Tigers worked with a local organisation to perform The Laguntas Dance in honour of the Wurudjeri People of the Kulin nation — the traditional owners of the land where the MCG is located.

The AFL’s pre-match ceremony described the dance as a way to show respect to the traditional owners of the land where the Richmond Football Club is located.

One team, brothers 💛🖤@Richmond_FC performs the Laguntas, a dance that pays respect to the Traditional Owners of the land the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.#AFLDeadly | #AFLTigersDonspic.twitter.com/tDP3j1yvYJ

— AFL (@AFL) May 21, 2022

Footy fans were surprised when Richmond players joined in on the traditional cultural display by forming a ring around several players and performers.

The display ended with performers and players running towards Essendon players with a spear-throwing motion.

It came just minutes after Essendon players supported another traditional war dance.

Bombers players linked arms while standing behind and watching a cultural display by the Koori Youth Will Shake Spears Aboriginal Dance Group.

Dreamtime at the G. Photo by Michael Klein.

Essendon players support a traditional war dance. Photo: Fox Footy.

Footy commentators were left wanting more before the game finally got underway.

“It’s amazing,” Collingwood legend Nathan Buckley said on Fox Footy.

“It’s just great for us to be able to see this more and more and we hope it will become more prevalent and more front-of-mind of the culture here before European settlers arrived.”

Fox Footy presenter Kath Loughnan called it a “powerful” display.

Richmond has been a national leader in promoting reconciliation since launching its Reconciliation Action Plan.

The traditional clash between the Bombers and Tigers is the centrepiece of the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round where the league celebrates everything Indigenous players continue to bring to the game and the country.

Saturday night will be the first time the annual Dreamtime clash will be played at the MCG since 2019 after Covid-19 restrictions resulted in the game being played in Darwin and Perth recently.

Marlion Pickett was in the middle of the war dance. Photo: Fox Footy.