The Western Bulldogs first indigenous guernsey has been released this week and the Club’s three indigenous players could not be prouder to wear the design on Sunday.
Liam Jones played an integral role in producing the inaugural design prompting his close friend and artist Anzack Newman to be part of the special project, and said it incorporates artwork styles of “Coastal, Torres Strait Island and Desert people.”
“The design incorporates all the artwork, and then all coming to the football ground, and how AFL has really helped the indigenous community,” Jones said.
“Football for a lot of indigenous people is life and it’s their family, football is just everything to them - it’s a really good design.”
A significant element of the Bulldogs guernsey design is the listing of every indigenous player to ever play for the Bulldogs between the hoops, which has been received with resounding support.
“In between the hoops we’ve got every indigenous player for the Western Bulldogs, which is a really good touch, so we’ll send one of these jumpers out to all of them as well,” he said.
“Most of the feedback we got from all eighteen of the players was just a massive privilege and honour to have their name on the guernsey.
“Even if someone had only played one or two games they thought it was a great acknowledgment from the football club to be able to their names on the jumper, and just really proud.”
Fellow indigenous player Brett Goodes said he really responded to the design of the Bulldogs guernsey and is proud to have his name included as part of the motif.
“Anzack has done a fantastic job and the Club have supported him and Jonesy in getting this jumper done - it’s been a fantastic effort,” Goodes said.
“To have the guys’ names on it is just another thing – [it’s] huge for those guys to be on this jumper.
“It’s our first indigenous jumper for the Club, and I’m actually thrilled to be on it, and I can only imagine how those guys feel too.”
The 18 Western Bulldogs indigenous players who are recognised on the guernsey are: Les Bamblett, Nathan Djerrkura, Cameron Faulkner, Brett Goodes, Jarrod Harbrow, Josh Hill, Liam Jones, Steven Koops, Phil Krakouer, Malcom Lynch, Michael McLean, Zephaniah Skinner, Brennan Stack, Koby Stevens, Charlie Stewart, Alan Thorpe, Mark West and Nicky Winmar.
