The Collingwood Football Club is pleased to unveil its 2025 AFLW Indigenous guernsey.
Collingwood’s AFLW team will wear the guernsey across the two weeks of the AFLW’s Indigenous Rounds, in Round 3 against Naarm (Melbourne) at Victoria Park and in Round 4 against North Melbourne at Arden Street.
The guernsey was first worn by the Club’s AFL side during the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round in May this year.
Designed by First Nations artist Lisa Thorpe, a woman from multiple Clans and Nations across Victoria, she is a proud Boonwurrung, Gunnai, Gunditjmara, Wamba Wamba and Dja Dja Wurrung woman.
Inspired by her art piece ‘Wooroongi Biik’, meaning ‘Lore of the Land’, the guernsey symbolises the unity of the Boonwurrung Baluk (people) to Biik (Country), much like the Magpie Army to Collingwood.
Thorpe’s design features a magpie’s view of ‘Y’alla-Birr-Ang’ (Collingwood) at pre-colonisation, with the six Boonwurrung seasons depicted within its streets and laneways, each serving a purpose in life.
Magpie footprints are depicted within the central white stripe of the guernsey, representing the harmonious connection of life to Biik (Country). Spear-shaped elements along the white stripes signify the name Y’alla-Birr-Ang, which denotes the sharpened tip of a spear.
Thorpe spoke with pride about the story behind Collingwood’s Indigenous guernsey, which will be worn throughout the two significant rounds.
“My Boonwurrung people lived in harmony with the six seasons and their neighbouring clans with focus on caring for Country,” Thorpe explained.
“The artwork emphasises the significance of aligning with the seasons ensuring the survival of land, life and purpose.
“The narrative of sharpening spears for battle or hunting is also a crucial aspect of survival. It instils responsibility and accountability within the clans and community, while also honouring the traditional practices and lore.”
The artwork describes the importance of everyone knowing the history of this country and being able to share it with their children and future generations.
“To see my art and the story of my people and Country on the jumper of my team is an absolute honour. It allows us to share the rich history of the world’s oldest living culture most don’t know,” Thorpe said.
“To see the players share my people’s history and wear the story with pride is not only the most important learning we can offer the wider community but a step toward a more harmonious future for us all.”
