Every epic Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey revealed, which one is your favourite?
The AFL clubs continue to step it up with their Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernseys. We take a look at all 18 editions for 2023, who designed them and what they mean. Vote for your favourite here.
Sir Doug Nicholls Round kicks off this weekend, with the recognition of the round and the contribution of indigenous players to be marked in Round 10 and Round 11.
Every year, clubs impress with the guernseys that players wear in the significant round, and this season is no different.
This year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round will also see Yorta Yorta man and former AFL umpire Glenn James — the first indigenous AFL umpire — honoured.
Take a look at all of the jumpers, who designed them and what they represent, here.
SEE THE GUERNSEYS BELOW THEN VOTE IN THE POLL TO HAVE YOUR SAY
ADELAIDE
The Crows’ striking guernsey is focused on connection, with all three Adelaide teams to don it this year. Designed by Anmatyerr educator and artist April Napangardi Campbell, who hails from the Ti Tree community in the Northern Territory. Campbell, the aunt of Adelaide AFL Women’s star Danielle Ponter, reunited with her niece recently after the family lost connection with Ponter’s grandfather on her mother’s side, who was forcibly removed from traditional lands at the age of just two. The jumper depicts the connection of one club, inclusive of all players, staff and supporters.
BRISBANE
The Lions’ jumper has been painted by Kevin Bynder and represents the stories of club greats Des Headland and Ash McGrath and their families. It also includes the initials of their fathers, acknowledging them for laying the foundations for their families. It depicts a story for each of the families, including Des’ childhood in Perth and – on McGrath’s side – a hawk in star constellation as his family totem. It also shows the pathways of the Fitzroy and Brisbane football clubs and where they intersect to form the current-day Lions and the six family totems of current indigenous Brisbane players.
CARLTON
Traditional Tiwi culture is represented in the Blues’ guernsey, designed by Tiwi woman Russellina “Russy” Puruntatameri. It depicts the Kulama Ceremony – an important ritual for young men, and celebration of life. The circles on the guernsey represent the ceremonial dancing ground, while Puruntatameri also showcases the strength and resilience of Tiwi women. “I thought the Kulama Ceremony in combination with key elements of women’s business was the perfect fit as it will be worn by players from both AFL and AFLW,” she said.
COLLINGWOOD
Tarni Jarvis designed Collingwood’s jumper – a Djab Wurrong and Kirrae Wurrong artist. It tells the story of those that make up the club, starting with one VFL side and evolving to now include eight teams across AFL, AFLW, VFL, VFLW, netball, ANC, wheelchair and Reclink and also housing next generation academies. Each circle on the jumper is unique and represents the people and stories within the club.
ESSENDON
Two students from Thornbury Primary School designed the Bombers’ Dreamtime at the ‘G guernsey, with Waa the Crow – one of the moiety totems for the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Eastern Kulin nation and the protector spirit.
The open wings of the crow create the traditional sash of the Essendon jumper, with circles representing connection between teammates, coaches and staff. It also features people standing arm in arm to show how people from all backgrounds have united to make the club what it is today.
FREMANTLE
The Dockers – which are known as the Walyalup Football Club during Sir Doug Nicholls Round – had their guernsey designed by Carly Grey, in conjunction with skipper Alex Pearce. It depicts Pearce’s story, and how he travelled from his home state of Tasmania to Noongar country to play for Fremantle.
GEELONG
Michelle Searle – a proud Awabakal woman from New South Wales who has lived on Watturong land in Geelong her whole life – designed the jumper that depicts stars representing meeting under one sky. It also encapsulates coming together, sharing, and different journeys and pathways of all people through life. The bands across the middle of the jumper show waves of emotion and support that wrap around us throughout our journey in life.
GOLD COAST
Suns defender and artist Jy Farrar designed the Suns guernsey, in collaboration with members of the local community. Throughout last season, supporters could add their fingerprint to the artwork to represent Suns members, supporters and staff. “The inspiration behind the artwork is that we wanted a painting that symbolised bringing everyone together and we thought what better way than to have the broader community be part of its creation,” Farrar said. The guernsey features the crocodile – representing the Northern Territory – and eagle, to represent the Gold Coast.
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
The Giants’ guernsey is called Ngurra, and is designed by Leeanne Hunter. Ngurra means country and connection in Darug language, the native tongue of Western Sydney. It shows the Giants being on freshwater country, with the rivers shown in the flowing white borders. The circles that connect them depict the suburbs and communities of the area.
The large orange circles show the areas that the players come from, while a leaf shape on the back of the guernsey depicts the bushland of western Sydney. The hands reflect the skill of the players and the applause they receive from supporters.
HAWTHORN
Hawks player Jarman Impey inspired this year’s guernsey, which was designed by Wagiman man and indigenous artist Nathan Patterson. It represents the Hawthorn family, and shows “pride and strength in its protection of our people, and the land on which we play and cheer”. The many meeting places shown on the jumper lead to the home ground.
MELBOURNE
Melbourne is known as Narrm during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with its guernsey designed by Lowell Hunter – a proud Nyul Nyul Saltwater man from the Kimberley region. Hunter is a sand artist, who uses his feet to carve his designs. The guernsey centres around a fire, symbolizing storytelling. It has a sun at the top and bottom, which Hunter wants to prompt people to think about how they are going to contribute to reconciliation when the sun rises and sets. It also depicts the people of the club, and the names of all past and present indigenous Demons players.
NORTH MELBOURNE
The design of the Roos’ guernsey is titled “Connecting Through Identity”, and was designed by Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji and Taungurung artist Emma Bamblett. It is inspired by the club’s male indigenous players, Jy Simpkin, Tarryn Thomas and Phoenix Spicer. A football field sits at the heart of the guernsey, with the outline of the Aboriginal flag at its centre. The white lines on the wings and the kangaroo tracks represent the players’ journey to playing, with water also prominent in the design. The back of the jumper features the totem of each of the three players.
PORT ADELAIDE
The Power will be known as Yartapuulti during Sir Doug Nicholls Round. The design was a collaboration between former player Peter Burgoyne and Adelaide artist Laz Gein, and depicts several generations of the Burgoyne family, an eagle and its feathers. Burgoyne said the eagle was used as the main centrepiece in tribute to his grandfather, who passed away during Covid. The seven feathers represent his children, and the sunrise above the playing number depicts his great great-grandmother. The back of the guernsey also depicts a southern right whale and emu tracks in tribute to his family’s cultural totems.
RICHMOND
Assistant coach Xavier Clarke and his family are behind this year’s Dreamtime at the ‘G guernsey, with the artwork on the front from his uncle Timothy Dumoo. It depicts dance of the Marri Ammu Marri Tjevin people, which tells the story of elders calling out to their ancestors to protect and guide people while on country. It also includes a dugong, representing the Larrakia totem on Clarke’s great, great grandmother’s side.
ST KILDA
Indigenous artist Jade Kennedy is behind one of the round’s most striking guernseys. The jumper represents the yawa – journey – of the club and its First Nations players and their families. The family totems of all indigenous AFL and AFLW players are featured, with the names of all First Nations players to have played for the club also included. Both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags feature on the front of the guernsey.
SYDNEY
The Swans will again don the Marn Grook guernsey they wore in 2022. Designed by Lisa Sansbury, the mother of Sydney legend Adam Goodes, it depicts where the city meets the sea and tells the story of indigenous people coming together around Sydney harbour. The red and white elements depict meeting places with blue used to show the water.
WEST COAST
Connection, unity and shared love for the club is central to the design of the Eagles’ guernsey, which was designed by West Coast AFL Women’s player and Kija and Jaru woman Krstel Petrevski. The circles depict the club’s programs and their connection, with the feathers representative of past players and officials. The symbols of the people display acceptance of individualism and the boomerangs unite the club through the “strength of mind, body and spirit”, while the Waalitj – the eagle – spreads its wings on the front.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta man Jason Walker is behind the Bulldogs’ indigenous guernsey, which represents Mirring (country) on Gunditjmara in south-west Victoria and is inspired by the Lake Condah Possum Skin Cloak. An eel features on the front of the guernsey, representing resilience among other things, while the etching on the cloak represents club staff, players and supporters and connection.
Originally published as Every epic Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey revealed, which one is your favourite?
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