The Western Bulldogs have revealed their 2024 Indigenous guernsey design for Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
The design, inspired by the communities and the land in Victoria’s west, was created by Tarni Jarvis, a proud Djab Wurrong, Kirrae Wurrong and Peak Wurrong woman who lives on Wadawurrung country in Ballarat.
For the first time in the club’s history, two guernseys have been created to mark the two-week Sir Doug Nicholls Round celebrations - a home kit in the usual Bulldogs blue, as well as a clash guernsey that is predominately white.
The traditional hoops have been replaced with riverways, representing the connection between different countries of the west, while the arches at the bottom symbolise mountain ranges, with communities represented alongside. The same riverways can be seen in the background of the design as well.
Jarvis explained what each aspect of the design means to her.
“I was inspired by the beautiful area I live in, as well as my ancestors’ countries,” Jarvis said.
“The riverways are important parts of our dreamings that have provided and cared for us for over 65,000 years.
“The mountain ranges are strong features throughout our dreamings, and important land markings for us on which ceremonies take place.
“The communities across the west contain so many different members of different cultures who come together in places like Ballarat, contributing to so much beautiful diversity within the First Nations community.”
The clash guernsey will be worn against GWS in the first week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with the blue iteration to be worn at home against Sydney next Thursday night.
The same design will also be worn across the VFL, VFLW and AFLW’s respective Indigenous Rounds.
*Only the blue, home guernsey will be available for purchase. The match-worn clash guernseys will be auctioned off. A range of exclusive merchandise including hoodies, t-shirts, wool scarves and beanies are also available for purchase via the Bulldogs Shop.
