Collingwood has unveiled its 2021 AFLW Indigenous guernsey for the inaugural AFLW Indigenous Round.
This year’s guernsey, which highlights the Yorta Yorta culture, was designed by Ross Morgan Senior and his sons.
The story behind the design comes from the the Cummeragunja Walk Off, which was a protest by Aboriginal people at Cummeragunja Station. It is remembered as an act of strength and resilience.
This year’s Indigenous guernsey also features as the side’s away guernsey. It is also the same design as the club’s AFL and SSN teams.
All 14 AFLW teams will wear an Indigenous jumper for the inaugural round.
Collingwood's very own Aliesha Newman will also design the league's Indigenous round logo.
See below for a biography of the guernsey by Morgan Senior.
YORTA YORTA -- Artists
Ross Morgan Jnr, Wayne Morgan and Ross Morgon Snr
All well-known Aboriginal artists who grew up on their traditional country in The Shepparton, Mooroopna area. They have been involved in their cultural storytelling, music and art for the last 30 years. Hand prints of Emilio Hudson don the back of the guernsey.
Traditionally their ancestors, parents, grand parents and great grandparents where a part of The Maloga Mission and at a later time moved to the Cummeragunja Mission NSW, both near Barmah Town and 42 kilometres from Echuca & Moama.
There is a very strong Cultural connection to country for all Morgan Family members as well as the other 15 Family groups that make up Yorta Yorta Nations.
The paintings story comes from one very special event which we believe to be the first Aboriginal protest against unfair and inhuman treatment to our people by the then mission manager.
PURCHASE YOUR INDIGENOUS JUMPER NOW
The Cummeragunja Walk-off is remembered as well as the journey, strength and resilience of our ancestors and now Elders.
Their SPIRIT will always be the strength in all our further endeavours moving forward.
Ross Morgan Senior.
Collingwood’s AFLW program will also show their support for the Free the Flag campaign as the club’s AFL and netball programs did in 2020. The squad will wear Free the Flag t-shirts during the warm-up for the remaining matches of the 2021 campaign including on Sunday afternoon. Find out more here