The Western Bulldogs will once again wear the Indigenous guernsey designed by former player Lindsay Gilbee for this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round 10 match against Gold Coast.

It will mark the first time the guernsey is worn in front of fans, with the Bulldogs’ 2021 Indigenous round match against Melbourne played in an empty Marvel Stadium due to Victorian lockdown restrictions at the time.

The design features reflections of Gilbee’s family history and the Boandik people of Mt Gambier, with Gilbee working closely with renowned Aboriginal artist Nathan Patterson to help translate aspects of his story.

On the front of the guernsey, the middle features the Blue Lake (Waawar), with people gathering along its banks.

Below that, are the footsteps of the traditional owners, as they move across waterholes gathering fresh water from the limestone coast.

The three gum leaves represent connection to Country, while the boomerangs and spears symbolize traditional hunting practices with kangaroo, emu and goanna tracks.

The back of the guernsey depicts three meeting places, which represent Gilbee’s family, community and the Club, while the possum footprints represent his totem, with gum leaves.

The design meaning has also been added to the inner back panel, which was not featured last year.

Gilbee’s complex path of discovery is ongoing, and will be one of immense pride, accompanied by grief and sadness, as he understands more about our nation’s past and how it affected his people.

The Bulldogs’ 2022 Indigenous guernsey will be available for sale at the Bulldogs Shop, along with a range of exclusive merchandise including caps, t-shirts, scarves, hoodies and keychains. Proceeds of sale will go towards the Bulldogs’ Indigenous programs and Indigenous community programming.