2026 First Nations Round Guernsey Designs

To celebrate Indigenous culture and heritage during Sir Doug Nicholls Round and SANFL First Nations Round, Adelaide has changed its name to Kuwarna. Pronounced goo-wun-na, Kuwarna is the Kaurna translation for the word Crows.

Defender Wayne Milera’s journey sits at the heart of the Crows’ 2026 First Nations guernsey – a design that weaves together family, culture, and the path that shaped him into the player he is today, designed by Milera and artist Steven Warrior.

Milera, whose father is from the Yorke Peninsula and is from Narungga nation, while his mother is Gunditjmara and Jardwadjali, from Western Victoria, says he is proud to share his story and to have designed this year’s guernsey.

At the guernsey’s core are his two mobs – Narungga and Gunditjmara – with footprints tracing his path through Country and football. White dots symbolise his Nanna and ancestors, offering ongoing guidance and protection.

The smaller circles represent Milera’s junior clubs – Ingle Farm Football Club and Central District Football Club – while the larger ones reflect his journey with the Crows at AFL level.

The design also draws on creation stories, with Buthera from Narungga Country alongside Bunjil and Waa the Crow from Victoria, connecting culture across regions.

A central meeting place represents Milera today, shaped by family, culture and football, while acknowledging the legacy of South Australia’s missions.

Handprints symbolising his immediate family – wife Nina and two sons Carter and Stanley – surround it, with person symbols included for his brother and sisters.

Two feathers feature across the design – one for the Crows’ supporters, the other for Kaurna Country, where the club is based.

The Central District Football Club is proud to unveil our 2026 First Nations Round guernsey, titled “The Journey Worn: Sonny’s Story of Strength and Belonging”, a deeply personal design created by Club great Sonny Morey in collaboration with his family, and Eastern Arrernte artist Pat Caruso.

The Central District Football Club is proud to unveil its 2026 First Nations Round guernsey, titled “The Journey Worn: Sonny’s Story of Strength and Belonging”, a deeply personal design created by Club great Sonny Morey in collaboration with his family.

From Snake Well on Yambah cattle station, north of Mparntwe (Alice Springs), through to Kaurna Country and Central District Football Club, it tells a journey of Country, culture, resilience, and belonging.

It carries the symbols of life on Country, the strength of the perentie (Atyunpe), the importance of kinship and family, and the meeting place that represents everyone connected to our Club – past, present, and future.

Above it all are the stars of achievement, history, and aspiration – honouring where we’ve come from and where we’re heading.

A guernsey built on story. A Club built on people. A journey worn with pride.

Glenelg’s senior men’s side will be wearing their 2018 guernsey design, and the women’s team will be wearing the 2022 guernsey design. 

MEN’S GUERNSEY 

The Stand Strong design was created by Glenelg premiership player Marlon Motlop and cousin Keelan Fejo in 2018. The design focuses on community and the interconnectedness of First Nations peoples, and the replication of that within the Glenelg Football Club.

• The Aboriginal man is holding his spear and shield which represents him standing strong in war/battle. This is reflective of how we are when we play the game, for most of us it’s like going to battle.
• The cross-hatching (Rarrkbun) represents the direction of strength, power, and knowledge when the spear is being thrown.
• The boomerangs represent stories and songs reflection of connection to football and how many great stories/songs come out of the game and stay with us forever.
• The weapons/tools which represent the effort we give to get to where we are now. The under layer is The Torres Strait islander Head dress “Dhoeri”, which is a representation of Torres Strait Islander people.
• The streams in the layer represent the 6 different Indigenous identities at the Glenelg Football Club at the time of the design’s curation.

North Adelaide’s 2026 First Nations Round guernsey, titled ‘Collective Commitment’ has been designed and hand painted by senior men’s player Blayne O’Loughlin’s mum Janet, and sister Jarii.

The hand painted design for this year’s guernsey carries forward the message that through a spirit of ‘Collective Commitment’ the North Adelaide Football Club will continue to build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people across the club – including support staff, leadership groups, playing groups, families, supporters, past players, and the winder community – while honouring those who came before us. The design also represents the cultural narrative that aligns with the values of unity and respect within the North Adelaide Football Club.

Janet and Karii wanted to stick with the traditional club colours of red, white and grey, and use traditional Aboriginal story telling symbols that come from and reflect cultural knowledge and connection to country, drawn from Blayne’s Aboriginal cultural lineage – Lower Southern Arrernte (Simpson Desert) and Narungga (Yorke Peninsula).

The Norwood Football Club will be wearing a First Nations Round guernsey inspired by the club’s Regional Zone of the Eyre Peninsula and designed by Norwood apparel partner Belgravia. 

The process commenced in November 2024, when the club hosted a football trip for 22 junior players from the Ceduna region on the Eyre Peninsula to visit Norwood.

The trip included a football match on Norwood Oval between the travelling players and Norwood’s U13 Metro Zone players for the “IWS Cup”, as well as an excursion to the Port Adelaide Football Club, the South Australian Museum, Marion, Rostrevor College and IWS’s Wingfield Processing Facility.

One of the trip’s activities included designing Norwood’s next First Nations Round guernsey, which the players took very seriously.

Yartapuulti’s 2026 First Nations guernsey has been designed by Kaurna elder and former player Uncle Mickey Kumatpi O’Brien.

Uncle Mickey’s design reflects the meaning of Yartapuulti — with ‘Yarta’ translating to place or land, and ‘Puulti’ meaning sleep or dead — bringing to life the significance of the area through traditional Kaurna storytelling. 

Having played an integral role in the club’s Kaurna translation to Yartapuulti in 2023, Uncle Mickey’s design is a fitting and meaningful continuation of that story. 

The artwork draws on cultural storytelling methods long practiced by Kaurna people, who share stories across artefacts, landscapes and their bodies through ochre, dance, play and ceremony. 

White ochre lines form a central part of the design, depicting the landscapes of Mudlhangga — the nose of the Lefevre Peninsula — along with the footprints of the Tarnta, the red kangaroo, and its spiritual connection to the landscape of Adelaide and South Australia. 

Five detailed Kaurna shields running down the centre of the guernsey represent Uncle Mickey’s own family and the ancestors of the Kaurna people who were laid to rest in and around the area, adding another layer of cultural and spiritual significance. 

Along one side of the guernsey, a series of fish and mangroves tell the story of when mangroves would leach toxins into the Port River, paralysing the fish and making them easier to catch. 

On the opposite side, intricate outlines of birds and footprints represent local and migratory birds who would rest in the area overnight, reinforcing the meaning of Yartapuulti as a place of rest. 

Uncle Mickey has also included a hidden element within the design, adding a subtle nod to the club’s Magpies history. 

“If you look closely, you’ll see there’s a magpie to add another connection back to the club itself, it was lovely to make that a hidden feature,” he said. 

The final element is the Kaurna word Yuringkarninthi, placed on the inside of the player-issued guernsey collar. It translates to ‘enquiring ears’, reflecting the idea that with curiosity comes greater knowledge. 

South Adelaide’s 2026 First Nations Round guernsey has been designed by 2025 SANFLW premiership player Doreena Hansen, adding another meaningful layer to the club’s ongoing collaboration with the Pinktails/Redtails Right Tracks Program. 

The design reflects Doreena’s journey in both football and life, acknowledging the challenges she has faced.

• Two Emus – One on the front and one on the back, representing Doreena and her sister, Dalaicee. The emu is their family totem, symbolising their deep connection to their heritage.
• Flowing Lines – Featured on both the front and back, these lines represent the MacDonnell Ranges in Alice Springs, where Doreena spent time with the Pinktails.
• Water Symbol – Located on the lower right rear, this represents Lake Mary Ann in Tennant Creek, where Doreena was born and where her family still resides.
• Seven Dotted Circles – These circles signify key elements in Doreena’s journey: family, spirit/identity, training, football, leadership, the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program, and the South Adelaide Football Club.
• Pinktail Cockatoo – Featured once again on the back of the jumper, reinforcing the connection between South Adelaide and the Pinktails/Redtails Right Tracks Program.

Sturt’s 2026 First Nation Round guernsey is designed by Shane Tongerie and David Booth.

Guernsey elements – Front

• Unley Oval: Gathering location for Sturt Football Club. Depicts four quarters of football and opposition within the middle. Supporters, reserves and women surround the perimeter. Represents a modern element of Unley Oval being located on Kaurna Land.
• Boomerang: Used to scare birds away from hunting ground.
• Kaurna Shield and spear: Used to defend and protect when hunting. Sheild represents strength and protection.

Guernsey elements – Back

• Emu: “Wise old Emu”= coaches. Guides, teaches and protects their young.
• Kangaroo: Game day journey of going fast and slow.
• Dreamtime: Elders who have passed and Sturt past players, acknowledge they come out on special occasions. “The Seven Sisters” –  our women players who need to work and play together, being supportive of each other on their journey.

Find out more about Sturt’s First Nations guernsey here.

The West Adelaide Football Club and the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Foundation proudly unveil the 2026 Indigenous Round guernsey, featuring original artwork by Jerry Pepperill, a participant of the Redtails Pinktails Right Tracks Program.

Jerry’s design represents the strength of a new partnership grounded in unity, shared responsibility, and the belief that helping in closing the gap is everyone’s business, including all our Participants, our First Nations participants, sporting clubs, public and private enterprise.

The artwork’s circles symbolise community, connection, and the places where young people gather, learn, and grow. The flowing pathways reflect the Right Tracks Standards & Vision Blueprint, built on the program’s 7 Pillars:

• Hard Work
• Patience
• Sacrifice
• Consistency
• Discipline
• Self‑Confidence
• Positive Attitude

These tracks represent the journey young people take as they grow into leaders, both on and off the field. The soon‑to‑be‑developed 8th Pillar will be shaped by the voices of our program participants.

The guernsey stands as a commitment to unity, healing, accountability and opportunity. It celebrates two organisations walking the same track, creating pathways for young people and strengthening community through sport, culture, and shared purpose.

Woodville-West Torrens’ First Nation Round guernsey is proudly designed by Woodville-West Torrens SANFLW player Channy Mitchell.

The painting represents the Eagles’ club slogan ‘One Club, One Culture’ and Channy’s journey to the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club.

My journey/Murray River

The Murray River on the outside represents where I’m from (Mildura, Victoria).

My journey starts from Mildura in Victoria where I grew up my whole life to where I am now, living in Adelaide and playing for the Woodville-West Torrens Football Club. For me, to reach and follow my dream at playing a high-level of football one day, I had to make the decision to move away from family/home to live in Adelaide full time. Family means everything to me and to make the move to Adelaide – not knowing anyone – was very challenging and daunting. I knew when I first came to the eagles, this is where I wanted to play footy and was very lucky to call home. The support and care from everyone at the club, and welcoming me into the Eagles family is something I will forever be grateful for.

Men’s Program/ Women’s Program/ Wheelchair Program/ Supporters/ Staff/ Coaches/ Volunteers

The three gathering circles play a massive part in this story as it represents who and we are as a football club. Representing all our programs that are part of the club that is our women’s, men’s and wheelchair programs, and most importantly, our staff members, coaches, supporters, volunteers, and everyone who has been a part of this club past and present. We are ONE CLUB, and we are ONE CULTURE.

Person symbol/Strong women symbol

Both symbols in the design represent me. From a quiet, shy, young Aboriginal girl from a small country town, to now a proud, and strong Aboriginal woman. I never thought of being here today, a part of this amazing club and sharing my story. Growing up in Mildura, it’s always hard to move away, especially from a place where you grew up your whole life and always thought of never leaving. I made the move to one day reach my dream goals and achieve so much in life. Being a proud Aboriginal woman living out my dream and doing what I love hopefully shows my community back home that anything is possible. I want to be that role model for my mob back home and show them to always follow their dreams.

Wedge Tail Eagle

Represents the Woodville-West Torrens club brand the Eagle. It also represents my totem from the Barkindji Mob from NSW. This is the centrepiece of the design.