The Collingwood Football Club is pleased to unveil its 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round (SDNR) guernsey.
Designed by First Nations artist Lisa Thorpe, a woman from multiple Clans and Nations across Victoria, the Magpies’ SDNR guernsey is inspired by her art piece ‘Wooroongi Biik’, meaning ‘Lore of the Land’.
Thorpe is a proud Boonwurrung, Gunnai, Gunditjmara, Wamba Wamba and Dja Dja Wurrung woman. Collingwood’s SDNR 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.
‘Y’alla-Birr-Ang’ was the place where the ancestors and tribal men would gather to sharpen their spears in preparation for hunting or battle.
By the 1960s and 70s, ‘Y’alla-Birr-Ang’ evolved into a meeting place for community, trading sharpened spears for sharpened minds in preparation for the fight against injustice.
Thorpe spoke with pride about the story behind Collingwood’s 2025 SDNR guernsey, which will be worn throughout the Sir Doug Nicholls 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.
“As a supporter of our great game, Marngrook/AFL, and an even bigger supporter of the Collingwood Football Club, this opportunity was one I couldn’t pass up,” Thorpe said.
“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.
“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.”
Collingwood’s AFL team will wear the guernsey in the 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round matches:
- Round 10 Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday 17 May, and
- Round 11 v North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday 24 May.
The Collingwood AFLW team will wear the guernsey during the 2025 NAB AFL Women’s Indigenous Rounds.
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