So often opponents in every respect, AFL clubs across the country are this week casting rivalries aside and teaming up to celebrate Indigenous Round.
West Coast is proud to be hosting Geelong at Domain Stadium for this culturally significant match where the club looks forward to paying tribute to Indigenous players, past and present, who have made and continue to make an incredible contribution to Australia’s game.
Midfielder Sharrod Wellingham told Sportsday on Wednesday night that it is a week of great significance to both the Indigenous and non-Indigenous players in the team.
“It’s a huge week and of huge importance to all of us boys,” Wellingham said.
“We gave a bit of a talk to the players yesterday at training about what it means to us and the main message that came through was that it’s a great opportunity to represent the past players who have paved the way for us.
“Football plays such a strong part in Indigenous culture and for us to be able to go out there on the weekend and represent our people is massive and we’re grateful every year that we get given the opportunity by the AFL.”
Forward Josh Hill agrees, adding that West Coast’s clash with the Indigenous All Stars earlier in the year was a great experience for players on both teams.
“It means everything,” Hill told 6PR.
“For me personally, it means a great deal to play for your family and represent our cultures and it’s great to be part of it with all the other players.”
Both Hill and Wellingham were quick to identify former players who have had an impact on their lives on and off the field, with Wellingham’s grandfather claiming to have played alongside the great Graham “Polly” Farmer at East Perth.
“My grandad used to talk about Polly Farmer as a legend and, being a bit younger, I obviously didn’t get to see the game he played.
“He used to tell me a few tall stories of how he used to play with him down at East Perth and I’m not too sure about that, but it’s a great legacy for us young blokes to try and follow.”
For Hill, it was Adelaide’s Andrew McLeod who he played against in just his second game as a Western Bulldog.
“He’s been a player I’ve loved watching while growing up and to play alongside him was a bit of a dream come true for me.
“He’s just one of those players who pretty much had it all.”
West Coast players will a gold version of the club’s inaugural Indigenous guernsey for Sunday’s clash. Designed by Noongar artist Peter Farmer last year, it tells the story of the Waalitj (wedge-tailed eagle) which is the strongest totem in Noongar culture.
Fans attending will be encouraged to support the Wirrpanda Foundation, a charity formed by West Coast legend David Wirrpanda, which aims to enrich the lives of young people in the Indigenous community.
Foundation volunteers will be stationed at gates 8, 10, 19 and 26 of Domain Stadium before the match, with a range of merchandise on sale, including scarves and jigsaws, to raise much-needed funds to enable their important work to continue.
Supporters will be treated to Indigenous performances from students at Hampton and Kiara Senior High School before the game, as well as a special half-time performance by the Merindas, Australia’s premier Indigenous female Motown trio, who will perform their soulful spin on some classics songs for fans.
