For proud Dharug artist Kane Wright, designing the GIANTS’ 2026 Indigenous Jumper isn’t just an artistic opportunity - it’s personal.
Born and raised proudly in Western Sydney on Dharug Country, and now living on Dharawal Country, Wright carries strong cultural ties to both communities. His work is grounded in storytelling, connection, and community - values that sit at the heart of this year’s design, titled “Mirrung,” meaning belonging.
Wright’s connection to the club runs deep. Like many in Western Sydney, he has followed the GIANTS since their earliest days, watching their growth from a new expansion side 15 years ago into the perennial finals contender they’ve become.
“Designing the jumper means the world to me having grown up in Western Sydney,” Wright said, who is also a graduate from Western Sydney University.
“I have that connection to the GIANTS and I wanted to design something that’s close to me and me growing up in Western Sydney.
“To see them come up from the early days when all the boys started out and going through Blacktown, I’ve got close ties with that, and it’s pretty cool to see where the club is at today and it’s a special moment for me to be a part of this.”
With a passion for education, mentoring, and art, Wright combines his experience in the arts and teaching, co-founding Deadly Ed & the Deadly Ed Foundation, with the mission to ensure anyone, in any location, can get access to quality and authentic Aboriginal Education.
His work focuses on empowering and inspiring others, fostering both cultural pride and educational advancement.
At its core, “Mirrung” is about unity - between people, culture, and club.
“The jumper as a whole, it’s about bringing the stories together of community and the club.”
The design reflects the GIANTS’ four key pillars—harmony, health, education, and employment – with each represented artistically within the iconic “G” at the centre of the jumper. For Wright, these values are inseparable from community.
“Without community, without fans, there’s no club at all… it’s a special piece to be able to tell the story of how the fans and the club unite as one.”
Every element of the jumper carries meaning, connecting past, present, and future.
Handprints appear throughout the design, representing the guidance and wisdom of Elders and community leaders. Seven yarning circles symbolise the many communities across Dharug Country and the sharing of knowledge between them.
Two meeting places reflect the bond between players and the “Orange Army,” united in support of the club. Meanwhile, intricate dot work traces the journeys and footsteps of those who have shaped the GIANTS’ story.
At the centre, two boomerangs capture the intensity of competition during Sir Doug Nicholls Round - a visual representation of the battle on the footy field.
For Wright, this project carries weight far beyond design.
“It means the world to me. Art is the way we express our soul and our platform, and that’s the way we tell our stories.”
Having previously created artwork for other clubs, this opportunity stands apart.
“When it’s local and where it’s your mob and where you grew up, I think it’s much more meaningful. It hits home a bit more.”
Wright says it’ll be special seeing the GIANTS wearing the jumper in person when they face the Lions at ENGIE Stadium on Sunday, May 24.
“I think it looks deadly…it’s going to be pretty overwhelming,” he said.
“We’re going to have all my family there, my wife, my two little kids as well. So it’s going to be a pretty emotional time seeing it for the first time on the field.
“Not just for myself, but for my family and my community as a whole… putting our story on the national stage.”
“Mirrung” stands as a powerful reflection of unity, respect, and belonging - honouring the strength of community and the GIANTS’ ongoing journey alongside it.
Through culture, storytelling, and connection to Country, Wright’s design ensures that every thread of the jumper carries meaning - linking generations past with those still to come.
