The Geelong Football Club has today proudly launched its 2021 Indigenous Guernsey ahead of AFLW Indigenous Round this weekend.
Designed by Corrina Eccles, a traditional owner of Wadawurrung Country, the guernsey represents a local story and incorporates a number of meaningful landmarks across the Barwon region.
“I wanted to tell the story of Wadawurrung country, the story of Djilang, and take people back on a journey to what the country was like prior to how we see the built environment today,” Eccles said.
“In the design I have the Kardiniyoo, the sunrise taking place and the two teams coming together to play what we call Marngrook. The Barwon River is a place that our eels would travel down. The eels then meet on our coast, our saltwater country.
“Then we have our mountain country, our big hills and Bunjil. Bunjil watches over this country he created, he will often fly over the stadium, watching over country and the river.”
Bunjil the eagle is placed on the guernsey in honour of the recent tragic loss of two lives among the Aboriginal community, both strong supporters of the club and the Djilang program.
The back of the guernsey also features ‘Djilang’, the Wadawurrung word for Geelong. Djilang represents the language of the land.
“I hope the girls, when they run out, connect to Wadawurrung country and the landscape. Let’s hope Bunjil is flying over as they’re playing to bring us good spirit,” Eccles said.
Geelong’s Steph Williams cannot wait to pull on the club’s first AFLW Indigenous guernsey this weekend.
“It’s going to be amazing,” Williams said.
“It’s always a special feeling putting on the hoops when we run out as a team, and it’s going to be even more empowering wearing the Indigenous jumper.
“It’s celebrating diversity and culture, it’s a huge recognition. I’m super excited.”
Cats’ CEO Brian Cook loved the look of the latest indigenous jumper.
“Our new indigenous jumper is an outstanding design and Corina has included fantastic storytelling within the jumper,” Cook said.
“Corrina has a long association with the club, and she should be proud of the job she has done in developing this artwork. The players love the design and will be proud to wear it on Friday night, and we are proud to again wear a distinctive Indigenous jumper.”
Geelong’s AFLW team will wear the Indigenous guernsey on Friday night against Richmond at GMHBA Stadium. The game begins at 7.10pm, tickets go on sale this Wednesday.
The guernsey is available to purchase via the Cats Shop.
