The upcoming AFL Indigenous Round celebrates the important role Indigenous Australia plays in both the AFL and the wider community
The last two rounds caused some major upsets and have every AFL expert’s head spinning with how unpredictable the season has been so far. Indeed, my favourite comment on social media after the high-flying Crows lost to the Melbourne Demons summed it up perfectly, “This season is messed up… in the best way possible.”
In the next week, above all the excitement, comes a very special round of AFL celebrating the First Australians in the all-important Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.
Heart attacks for Giants fans
Two weeks of AFL and two consecutive risks of heart attacks for GIANTS fans as they consolidated their position in the top four by snatching back-to-back last minute (literally) victories. For the first time in their history as a club, the GIANTS emerged victorious against the Collingwood Magpies with veteran Steve Johnson slotting home the winner with just under 40 seconds remaining in the match.
Whilst the GIANTS were playing catch up for a large portion of the match, their victory was even more impressive given that they lost defender Aidan Corr to injury in the first 15 seconds and later saw Sam Reid and Stephen Coniglio hobble off the ground. It highlights the depth and resolve of an exciting team who were then able to follow up this last-minute victory with an incredible win over Richmond this week.
The GIANTS weren’t in front against the Tigers until the very last minute where star forward Jeremy Cameron used his physique and skill to slot home a winner after the team had clawed their way back from a 30 point deficit at three quarter time to snatch a three point victory. For the sake of GIANTS fans and cardiologists everywhere, here’s hoping for a more cruisy victory next week!
Swans surge
The Swans have finally found form, leaving behind a shocking start to the season with three back-to-back victories. Starting as the underdogs against a North Melbourne side who had just toppled the ladder leading Crows, not many (barring our optimistic tippers) gave the Swans a chance. But with a mammoth effort from their midfielders, including captain Josh Kennedy, the Swans led from the outset and never looked like slowing down, resulting in a huge 42 point victory. They didn’t slow down against St Kilda either cruising to a 50 point victory. Tipping leader Bhai cannot contain his excitement about the Swans form!
Indigenous Round and Marn Grook
There are some things that are bigger than the game itself and are important to recognise. One of those things is the contribution and important role Indigenous Australia plays in both the AFL and the wider community. The next round of the AFL is the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round, with each club playing with specially designed guernseys and recognising Indigenous history both within the club, the AFL and Australia.
In Sydney, the Swans will battle it out against Hawthorn for the annual Marn Grook Trophy. ‘Marn Grook’ is believed to be the name of a traditional game played during corroboree between the Djawurrung and Jardwadjali clans in Victoria’s west; it is believed that after watching this game in action, the founder of AFL (Tom Willis) developed the game and started the journey to what the AFL is today. It highlights that Indigenous culture and contributions are rooted in the very foundations of the AFL itself.
The Swans guernseys have also been designed by the mother of AFL legend Adam Goodes, with the colours representing the water surrounding the harbour city and the way the ocean connects Sydney’s communities.
The Indigenous Round at the SCG is also supporting the recognition of Indigenous Australians in the Constitution, various Indigenous community organisations and celebrating 50 years since the historic 1967 referendum; get amongst this truly
Bhai (55) |
Khushaal Vyas (50) |
Margit Shah (46) |
Smit Bhatt (42) |
Tanya Sinha (42) |
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| Geelong Cats v Port Adelaide Power | Cats | Cats | Cats | Cats | Cats |
| Sydney Swans v Hawthorn Hawks | Swans | Swans | Swans | Swans | Swans |
| Western Bulldogs v St Kilda Saints | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Bulldogs | Saints |
| Melbourne Demons v Gold Coast Suns | Demons | Demons | Demons | Demons | Demons |
| Richmond Tigers v Essendon Bombers | Tigers | Bombers | Tigers | Tigers | Bombers |
| Adelaide Crows v Fremantle Dockers | Crows | Crows | Crows | Crows | Crows |
| Collingwood Magpies vs Brisbane Lions | Magpies | Magpies | Magpies | Magpies | Magpies |
| North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Carlton Blues | Kangaroos | Kangaroos | Blues | Blues | Kangaroos |
| West Coast Eagles v GWS Giants | Giants | Giants | Eagles | Eagles | Giants |