Ross Lyon has expressed his own personal pride in Fremantle’s indigenous jumper ahead of Saturday’s Sir Doug Nicholls round clash with the Crows at Adelaide Oval.

The jumper was presented to the players by co-designer Richard Walley, who worked with 1997 Doig Medal winner Dale Kickett on the artwork.

Walley, an indigenous elder and Fremantle’s no.1 ticket holder, told the playing group that the idea of the design was not to just represent indigenous culture, but to be a design that would include all Australians.

“It’s a great round to be a part of and what’s really important is that we had Richard Walley come in and present the jumper and the design to the players,” Lyon said.

“His overriding message is that it’s an Australian jumper. 

“(Football) is one of the vehicles where everyone comes together, where everyone is equal.

“(The jumper’s) not just about indigenous culture it’s celebrating the game as a vehicle for equality.

“It’s an Australian jumper.”

“It was great to hear that from a respected elder…and it’s a great design. It represents the six Nyoongar seasons, the four quarters of a game, the players, the members, fans, support staff and the energy of the game.” 

Lyon, whose AFL career spanned from 1985 to 1995 with Fitzroy and Brisbane, paid tribute to the players who pushed for a greater respect of indigenous culture within the game and in Australia society.

“It’s a wonderful round and when you look back to the pioneers like Michael Long, and even before him in the seventies, it was tough obviously,” Lyon said. 

“There’s a lot of people who have come before and it’s been a long build and it’s a wonderful round and we want to honour it with great effort.”


Stephen Hill and Connor Blakely in Freo's indigenous jumper at training on Thursday at Victor George Kailis Oval

About Fremantle’s Indigenous Jumper
The design continues the theme of Fremantle’s original indigenous jumper, with the three chevrons altered to boomerangs to represent the past, present and future of the club.  

The guernsey also features artwork around the body of the jumper, with the disc in the centre representing the three layers of the club. 

The innermost layer signifies the body of the club in the playing group, who are at the centre of the club, with the four sections also representing the four quarters of a football game.  

The next layer symbolises the heart of the club in the football staff, administration and board members, who provide the support network around the players and help the club’s heart to beat.

The outer layer signifies the all important spirit of the club which is represented by each of the club’s members and fans, who provide waves of energy through their unwavering loyalty and passionate support. 

The wider design denotes the six Nyoongar seasons, which are Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang - and the waves of energy that flow through each of these seasons as nature changes during the year.