It’s that time of year in the NRL season again, the anticipated Indigenous Round.
With the NRL committed to greater promotions and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the game, we see a key example in action with their Indigenous Round.
The Round highlights the significant contribution that Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people make to Rugby League both on and off the field.
The 16 Clubs all celebrate with different jerseys donning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander designs and illustrations, with Maori culture is represented also.
Each design tells a different story, so let’s take a look at what's being told this year.
Brisbane Broncos
Created by renowned artist Charlie Chambers, the design is titled Yarning Circle and features the Broncos logo in the centre with the Brisbane River or 'Maiwar' behind it. The design depicts communities being drawn together to improve the health of their people, supported by the partnership.
Matt Gillett in the Broncos Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
Canberra Raiders
Adapted from Elle Binge’s artwork titled Culture, Canberra's jersey represents meeting places through circles in the centre. Current Raiders players of both, Indigenous and non-Indigenous backgrounds are represented through the handprints to show unity and collaboration.
Jarrod Croker in the Raiders Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Designed by a large group of students in the local community through contributions from local Elders in the Canterbury-Bankstown area, the storyline of the Bulldog's jersey depicts the 'warrior man' who shows strength, resistance and courage of the team's Aboriginal players; past, present and future.
Will Hopoate in Canterbury's Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
Designed by Aunty Deanna a local Cronulla elder, the three club colours represent the southern waters and the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people living in the area. The jersey also includes footprints which show the community living off Cronulla beach.
Wade Graham in Cronulla's Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
Gold Coast Titans
Designed by Preston Campbell, the Titans jersey theme is 'representation', aiming to represent "who you are" and "where you come from". It encourages players to represent not only their team, but their family and themselves with decency and respect.
Ash Taylor in the Gold Coast Titans Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (Grant Trouville/NRL Photos) Source: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Through a collection of different circles, Jakeob Watson's design represents the Sea Eagles, as well as the 15 other clubs. It tells the story of the playing group comes together as one. It also represents the supporters of the club, as well as the player’s families, partners and children.
Martin Taupau in the Sea Eagles Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (Grant Trouville/NRL Photos) Source: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
Melbourne Storm
With the motif in the centre meaning relationships and respect, the various Indigenous communities are represented through the surrounding circles. The water of the Yarra river flows past AAMi park (home of the Storm) and brings life as it flows through the club.
Josh Addo-Carr in the Melbourne Storm Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
Newcastle Knights
To cover all eras of Newcastle’s rich indigenous history, the 2018 jersey was designed in collaboration by former and current star players Ashley Gordon, Owen Craigie, Timana Tahu and Connor Watson. Each player contributed a piece of their family history (their totem) to local artist, Elise Randell.
Mitchell Pearce in the Newcastle Knights Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
New Zealand Warriors
The Warriors' jersey pays homage to the club’s homeland, Aotearoa, also known as 'the Land of the Long White Cloud', through the different ferns. With a Maori warrior to show the strong attack of the team and mist behind him as a connector to the ancestors, earth mother and sky father.
Matiu Love-Henry in the New Zealand Warriors Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (Grant Trouville/NRL Photos) Source: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
North Queensland Cowboys
Aboriginal and artist Luke Duffy's jersey tells the story of where the reef meets the land. The circles represent the community from all areas of the region, coming together to support the Cowboys.
Kyle Laybutt in the North Queensland Cowboys Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (Grant Trouville/NRL Photos) Source: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
Parramatta Eels
Created by Elle Binge Harrison, the 2018 Eels Jersey is titled Where The Eel Lies Down. The Burramattagal people have a close connection with the Parramatta river, and the design tells the story of 'the first meeting place' being Sydney Harbour (the start of the river) and down to Parramatta, the second meeting place.
Nathan Brown in the Parramatta Eels Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
Penrith Panthers
The Panthers' jersey is an artistic tribute to the Indigenous history, geography and culture of Penrith area. Designed by past player Glen Liddard, the jersey features the totems of the regions on the chest.
Peter Wallace in the Panthers Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
South Sydney Rabbitohs
South Sydney resident, Dennis Golding celebrates the club’s long history of Indigenous players and their contribution to the sport through his jersey design. Through representations of meeting places, cultures and local communities, the jersey allows all Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to share stories and understandings about the Aboriginal custodianship of this country.
Tyrell Fuimaono in the South Sydney Rabbitohs Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
St. George Illawarra Dragons
Through collaboration by three local artists, Lani Balzan, Keiran Campbell and Koori Minto, St George's design includes representation of the land, the bringing together of a harmonious community and the three Indigenous players currently in the playing squad.
Josh Kerr in the St George Illawarra Dragons Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (Grant Trouville/NRL Photos) Source: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos
Sydney Roosters
The niece of Rooster’s legend Arthur Beetson, Bianca Beetson designed the 2018 Roosters Indigenous Jersey. The people of the Sunshine Coast are represented by totems of the Kabi Kabi people which include the Bunya Pine and the native bee.
Daniel Tupou in the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
West Tigers
Designed by Vicki Golding, the jersey uses dots and pathway lines to highlight the connection that brings Indigenous and non-Indigenous people together to share stories as one.
Josh Reynolds in the Wests Tigers Indigenous Round jersey. 2018 (NRL Photos) Source: NRL Photos
For more Rugby League hot topics, tune into Over the Black Dot, live tonight, 8.30pm on NITV (Ch. 34). Join the conversation #OverTheBlackDot
