The Brisbane Lions had an action-packed match-day experience on Saturday as they celebrated their own Sir Doug Nicholls Round at The Gabba against Hawthorn.
The day started at the Channel 7 Wheel of Brisbane in Southbank, where more than 500 people converged for the annual The Long Walk.
Nova Peris, Chris Johnson and Nathan Appo spoke to an excited crowd about how the walk was inspired by Michael Long’s trek from Melbourne to Canberra to promote reconciliation.
Peris said her good friend Michael Long would be proud of the Brisbane event.
“We’ve still got a long way to go but the more we can get together and celebrate the oldest collective race of people… then we can stamp out racism,” Peris said.
The throng of walkers departed at 5pm with their sights set for The Gabba. Amongst the walkers were Chris Johnson and Ash McGrath, two proud Indigenous men and former Lions greats.
Johnson said he makes the effort to come up from Melbourne each year for the event.
“I’ve been involved for a couple of years now and tonight certainly takes the cake,” he said.
Johnson said for him The Long Walk is all about promoting discussion.
“It’s more about just trying to get in contact with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and having that conversation,” he said.
“Go and ask them some questions and talk to them and find out that story.”
The premiership player said every Indigenous person he knew had faced racism and that it was great the Club was taking a stance.
“The Lions are playing a massive part,” he said.
“We have to keep working towards stamping out racism.”
His old teammate Ash McGrath joined him for the walk and travelled all the way from Perth.
McGrath said the Lions have come a long way with their relationship with Indigenous community since he was playing.
“They’re doing a really good job and the whole AFL community are really banding together,” McGrath said.
Once the group of walkers were inside The Gabba, they enjoyed a magical Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony performed by the Yerongpan Dancers.
One of the dancers, Derek Oram, designed the Indigenous guernsey the players wore that night.
Before the game the Hawks and Lions exchanged Deadly Choices t-shirts as gifts.
Post-match the Lions and Hawks united, linking arm-in-arm, with players, coaches and staff stood together in a stance against racism.
Earlier in the week Indigenous Lions player Allen Christensen was invited to speak for Reconciliation Week by the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
He spoke for 30 minutes about his family’s story and educated people in the room on what Indigenous people had experienced.
All that attended were inspired by his story, knowledge, sense of humour and for creating a relaxed environment.
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