\n Yartapuulti\u2019s 2025 AFLW Indigenous Round guernsey design was hand painted by AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen.\n <\/p>\n
Jasmin Stewart and Gemma Houghton model Yartapuulti’s 2025 AFLW Indigenous Round guernsey. Image: Matt Sampson.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year, during the AFL\u2019s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the Yartapuulti Football Club unveiled its 2025 First Nations guernsey, designed by AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
For the first time, the same guernsey will be worn across both Sir Doug Nicholls Round and AFLW Indigenous Round, serving as a powerful symbol of connection and unity within the club.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
That moment arrives this weekend, with Yartapuulti proudly donning Wanganeen\u2019s design in celebration of AFLW Indigenous Round on Saturday, 30 August from 4:35pm at Alberton Oval.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Since retiring from a decorated 15-year playing career, Wanganeen has channelled his passion for art and culture into becoming a celebrated contemporary Indigenous artist and proud Aboriginal activist.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yartapuulti will wear its First Nations guernsey across the two weeks of AFLW Indigenous Round. Image: Matt Sampson.<\/p>\n
Born in Mount Gambier, Wanganeen is a descendant of the Kokatha people of the Western Desert in South Australia, whose strong connection to Country, the night sky, and stories in the stars continue to inspire his work.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said the guernsey reflects both his cultural ties to the Milky Way and his personal memories of Alberton Oval, as well as the people who make up the club.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe guernsey design was inspired by the art that I do. On a personal level, I paint about the night sky and the stars,\u201d Wanganeen explained.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the centre of the design is a striking teal stripe, created with his intricate brush strokes, symbolising the Milky Way and the club\u2019s heartland.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Milky Way represents all the people across the AFL and AFLW programs, the fans, and the staff who make up the club. It represents everyone involved in this community.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yartapuulti’s First Nations guernsey is based on a painting by AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen. Image: Matt Sampson.<\/p>\n
The traditional \u2018V\u2019 on the guernsey is formed from delicate white and teal dots.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the V, there\u2019s a single line of teal dots representing the First Nations players since the club\u2019s inception, and the strong connection Yartapuulti has maintained with its First Nations players.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe white dots represent all other players who have worn the guernsey, and the culture they have been able to share with their First Nations teammates.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n