The Brisbane Lions with the help of Lardil woman and Mornington Island artist Renee Wilson are proud to launch the Club’s 2024 Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey.
Wilson hails from Mornington Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria and is a relative of Lions forward Charlie Cameron.
The theme of the jumper is born from the Lardil phrase, ‘Merri Dilangka’, which for Lardil people means listening to the past, present and moving forward together, which was an important aspect to incorporate into the guernsey for Wilson.
“I thought it was good to incorporate into the theme of the guernsey because we always have to remember where we come from, where we are now as a people and where we are heading,” Wilson said.
"But we’re not forgetting where we’ve come from and that’s an important part, which is why the theme is, Merri Dilangka.
“Having Indigenous rounds in the AFL is really important because it gives us a sense of pride.
“It is important for us because that’s our identity, as that is us, who we are, our culture and it is important to share our stories and culture, it is all part of education.”
The guernsey design is broken down into three key elements, the past, the present and we move forward together born from the theme of Merri Dilangka.
The Past
Lardil people, who are the traditional custodians of Mornington Island, believe that three people were the first beings to arrive there.
The left portion of artwork depicts three beings arriving on Mornington Island, highlighting where the Lardil people have come from and acknowledging their past.
The Present
At the centre and bottom of the artwork depicts the present, highlighted with the blue of the ocean in the middle surrounding Mornington Island.
Below the island is a Barun (turtle), Yaka (fish) and Kendabal (dugong), which are the main food sources on Mornington Island for the Lardil people.
Above the island stand three people looking out to a boat and the stars, this is a reminder of the Stolen Generation and role which it plays presently and historical for the Lardil people.
The Future
The right of artwork is a nod to the future, maintaining and preserving culture, passing it on to the next generation.
The artwork itself depicts the theme of Merri Dilangka, a traditional dance of the Lardil people, a part of continuing to move forward together.
For the first time in the Clubs’ history, both the AFL and AFLW teams will wear the same guernsey during their Indigenous Rounds, with the AFLW’s fixture to be confirmed later in the coming months.
The inside of the neckline includes the six totems of the current indigenous players on the Lions list.
- Charlie Cameron is a proud Lardil Waanyi man and his totem, the Shovel-nose Shark.
- Callum Ah Chee is a proud Nyoongar Yawaru Nyikina Palyku man and his totem, the Wallaby.
- Keidean Coleman is a proud Dalabon man and his totem, the Jumping Kangaroo.
- Ally Anderson is a proud Ghungalu woman and her totem, the Emu.
- Courtney Hodder is a proud Badimaya and Whadjuk woman and her totem, the Turtle.
- Dakota Davidson is a proud Gunditjimara woman and her totem, the Black Swan.
Our home Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey will be worn for the clash against the Richmond Tigers at The Gabba on Saturday 18 May. Buy your tickets here.
The away guernsey will be donned for the Round 11 match against Hawthorn on Sunday May 28 at Marvel Stadium.
Match-worn guernsey auctions will also take place, as with previous years, the home match-worn guernsey will open Thursday 4 July and close Monday 8 July.
The away match-worn guernsey will open Thursday 23 May and close Monday 27 May.
The 2024 Sir Doug Nicholls Round Range is live with limited stock available from the Lions Shop don’t miss out, get yours in time for our game against the Tigers!
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