CELEBRATING CLUB AND COUNTRY

For the first time in the Western Bulldogs’ history, all four of the club’s men’s and women’s teams will wear the same Indigenous guernsey design in the respective rounds which celebrate First Nations culture in 2023.

The Bulldogs’ 2023 Indigenous design was created by proud Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta man, Jason Walker.

The artwork represents Mirring (country) on Gunditjmara, where the Bulldogs are affiliated in south-west Victoria, and is inspired by the Lake Condah possum skin cloak.

The etching designs on the cloak represent the Bulldogs’ staff, players and supporters’ connection to country and journey throughout life.

The front of the guernsey features an eel (kooyang) intertwined throughout the red, white and blue hoops, which represents many things for Gunditjmara people, including resilience, and is an important resource for food and trade.

The kooyang’s inclusion in the design also acknowledges the

West-Vic Eels Aboriginal Football Club, where many Aboriginal and Gunditjmara families – including Jamarra Ugle-Hagan – have played in state-wide Aboriginal football carnivals.

The AFL team will be the first to wear the new design in today’s match against Adelaide at Mars Stadium, and again next week against Gold Coast in Darwin.

They will also wear the guernsey against Collingwood in round 17, during NAIDOC Week.

The VFL Bulldogs will wear it in their round 10 clash against Gold Coast in Darwin next Saturday and in round 16 against Collingwood for NAIDOC Week, while the VFLW side will wear it against Darebin tomorrow and against Collingwood next Saturday.

The AFLW team will wear it later this year in its Indigenous round once the fixture for season eight is confirmed.

In 2023, 13 First Nations players will represent the Bulldogs across their AFL, AFLW, VFL and VFLW teams.

The Western Bulldogs’ 2023 Indigenous guernsey can be purchased at the Bulldogs Shop, along with a range of exclusive merchandise, including hoodies, T-shirts, wool scarves and badges.

Vfl

COOPER CRAIG-PETERS YORTA YORTA, WADI WADI, DJA DJA WURRUNG, YARA YARA

NGURAI ILLUM WURRUNG

JOEL GARNER MARA

JOSH CHATFIELD GUNDITJMARA

NATHAN DRUMMOND YORTA YORTA

JARROD GILBEE BUNGANDIDJ

Vflw

MELANIE FREEMAN WIRADJURI

MAHRA CAMERON NOONGAR FROM BALLARGONG AND WHADJUK

PAMELA AMBER

TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER – PANAYGAL AND SAMU

TAHLIA MEIER WAMBA WAMBA

POCKET PROFILE 32 Arthur Jones

Nickname: Arty

Which teammate will become an AFL coach one day: Josh Bruce

What time should the Grand Final start: 2.30pm

Ideal length of the home and away season: 24 games

How do you pass the time before a night game when you’re on the road: Board games, walks and sleeping

What sport do you suck at: Golf

Favourite subject at school: Woodwork and maths

Former footballer you admire most: Cyril Rioli

Dream job after AFL footy: Project manager

Sporting event you cannot miss: NBA finals

Hobbies or interests outside football: Puzzles, trying to get good at golf and drawing

What’s something you admire about your club: How tight the culture and spirit is

What advice would you give a first-year player: Be a sponge and learn as much as you can from the older boys and find a good routine

Best advice your mum gave you: To never stop smiling and enjoy living your dream job

Espresso or cold brew: Espresso

Favourite Shapes flavour: Cheese and Bacon

Uber Eats or DoorDash: Uber Eats

Home delivery or pick-up: Delivery Dog person or cat person: Dog person for sure

First concert you attended: Post Malone in 2019

Your go-to karaoke song: Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi

Favourite podcast: Ads & Dunks

Three things on your bucket list: Travel the world, go skydiving, swim with sharks

Last book you read: Romeo And Juliet, my last year of school

Favourite holiday destination: Albany, I’m West Australian, back on my country

Who should play your coach in a movie: Cody Weightman