The GIANTS are proud to unveil their 2024 Indigenous jumper, to be first worn during this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash with the Western Bulldogs.

Designed by proud Gomeroi man Kayleb Waters, the jumper is called Maaluga Ngarriylanha, which means ‘sitting as one’. The jumper tells a story of unity and the leadership the GIANTS take in reconciliation and moving forward as one.

It was designed to represent the opportunities the GIANTS provide to communities from all backgrounds and religions, including First Nations people, and their efforts to maintain relationships and connections to culture.

A 25-year-old storyteller from the Aboriginal community of Walhallow, Waters is an artist, a cultural mentor with the Gomeroi Culture Academy, a member of the Gomeroi Dance Company, and also facilitates cultural workshops and cultural wellbeing programs across New South Wales.

Gomeroi country extends broadly from the Queensland and NSW border region to Tamworth, Aberdeen, Muswellbrook, Coonabarabran and Walgett. Walhallow is a village in the north-west slopes region of NSW, near Quirindi.

“I was speechless when I received the images of the completed jumper, I couldn’t be happier,” Waters said.

“To have my design come to life is something I couldn’t have ever imagined because it gives everyone a chance to not only represent the design, and for it to be showcased on this level, but to be heard and listened to.

“The more we learn about country, the more we care for it. And the more we care, the more we love. We can’t love something if we know nothing about it.”

The GIANTS will wear their 2024 Indigenous jumper in their round 10 clash with the Western Bulldogs at ENGIE Stadium (formerly GIANTS Stadium) as part of this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds – which is spread across rounds 10 and 11.

Featuring an artistic kangaroo/bandaar inside the trademark ‘G’ on the front of the jumper, the sacred animal symbolises the strength and patience we need as a nation to move forward as one.

The circular shapes and linework displayed on the jumper represent all of mother earth’s wisdom and knowledge and connection to country.

The orange circles depicted on the jumper, which represent people gathering and sitting as one, symbolises the communities the GIANTS have impacted with their initiatives and the journey as one to maintain the survival and nourishment of our country. 

The tracks and grids featured on the jumper symbolise the path the GIANTS are taking with local communities to build connections and relationships as they overcome obstacles to maintain a journey as one.

The AFL’s annual round recognising and celebrating indigenous players and culture was re-named in 2016 in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls. 
 
Sir Doug, who epitomised the spirit of reconciliation, played 54 games for Fitzroy and was a brilliant all-round athlete. The first Aboriginal person to be knighted, he also served as Governor of South Australia and was devoted to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
 
All 18 clubs will wear special Indigenous-themed jumpers across the two rounds.

You can purchase the GIANTS’ 2024 Indigenous jumper from the GIANTS Shop online, at the VAILO Community Centre in Sydney Olympic Park, or on game day while stocks last.

Be there to see the jumper live in action when the GIANTS host the Bulldogs in round 10 at ENGIE Stadium on Saturday, May 18 at 4:35pm.