The West Coast Eagles today revealed their inaugural indigenous Guernsey, which will be worn against North Melbourne in round 11.

The Guernsey, which was designed by Noongar artist Peter Farmer, tells the story of the Waalitj (Wedge-Tailed Eagle) which is the strongest totem in Noongar culture.

“My artwork contained within the West Coast Eagles Football Club’s Reconciliation Action Plan and on the design of the inaugural West Coast Eagles AFL Indigenous Round guernsey includes tracks which connect to six fresh water sources throughout the state of Western Australia.

Featured in the design is an image of the Waalitji (Wedge- Tailed Eagle) painted ready for ceremony and attack.” – Peter Farmer.

The traditional Noongar dreaming story in short is about a great drought; the animals and Noongar people could not find any freshwater sources.

The Waalitj’s eye was the only one that could find water from searching high up in the sky. The Noongar people followed him at this time of great hardship and adversity, and always found a fresh water source. The moral of the story is through great adversity, the Waalitj finds a path.

His strength and power is respected and revered throughout Noongar country, because of his capacity to not simply overcome adversity, but to succeed in places that others fail.

West Coast Eagles captain Darren Glass says it will be an honour for the team to wear the guernsey against the Kangaroos on June 1.

“Our AFL Indigenous Guernsey is the public symbol of the work our club is doing to build better relationships between the community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Glass.

“Having better relationships with understanding of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players and staff will strengthen our team and club.”
The Guernsey is on sale in the West Coast Eagles Team Store.