For the first time in club history, Fremantle will compete for the Marn Grook Trophy as well as the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal for the best on ground, as is tradition for the Sydney Football Club in Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
Saturday night’s clash at Optus Stadium pits two clubs with proud Indigenous histories as the AFL celebrates the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributions to the game of Australian football.
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The Swans usually play for the Marn Grook Trophy at their home game in Sir Doug Nicholls Round, but because Sydney are in their WA hub, the game will be played at Optus Stadium for the first time.
Swans legend Michael O’Loughlin delivered a special message to the Freo fans that will be played on the big screen before the game.
“Today, the Swans and Fremantle will play for the Marn Grook Trophy and Adam Goodes and I are honoured that the player judged best on ground will receive the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal,” he said.
“This match is special to me because we get to showcase our culture to the world.
“On behalf of Adam and myself, and the Sydney Swans, welcome to Marn Grook. Enjoy the game and stay deadly.”
While players from either team can win the Goodes-O’Loughlin medal, Sydney has had a stranglehold since its introduction, with Tom Mitchell, Lance Franklin, Isaac Heeney and Sam Reid winning the award.
O’Loughlin explained the meaning behind ‘Marn Grook’ and its link to Australian football.
“Marn Grook is a tradition with a long history,” O’Loughlin said
“The worlds Marn Grook translate to ‘game ball’ and the ball was made from possum skin and was used in a traditional game played between the corroboree of clans in Victoria’s Western District.”
The medal will be presented on the ground post-match however the Marn Grook Trophy will remain in Sydney, but will still be engraved with the winner of Saturday night’s game.
