Richmond Tigers wear Indigenous-designed Guernsey for Dreamtime at the ‘G

On Saturday 19 May 2012 the Richmond Tigers roared onto the field wearing a one-of-a-kind designed ‘Dreamtime’ Guernsey for their Dreamtime at the ‘G match up against Essendon Football club.

Losing by just 19 points, the Dreamtime Guernsey worn by the Tigers inspired a spirited challenge to the Essendon Bombers for the duration of the game. 

The guernsey was designed by Stuart Harradine, a Wotjobaluk man from the Wimmera region of Western Victoria, and a proud life-time supporter of the Richmond Tigers.

“As an Aboriginal person, I am especially proud of the impact that Indigenous players like the great Maurice Rioli and the dynamic Michael Mitchell had on the Club and, during those times, I gained no small satisfaction in knowing I barracked for a club that valued Aboriginal football talent,” Mr Harradine said.

“Now, with the inception of the Dreamtime game and the establishment of the Korin Gamadji Institute, my feelings of connection as an Aboriginal man to the mighty Tigers are even stronger.”His design is inspired by the traditional designs on weapons such as boomerangs and parrying shields and evokes the hardness and energy of the traditional Aboriginal warrior.

Dreamtime at the ‘G has become a fixture on the AFL calendar over the last eight years and is an important celebration of Indigenous sporting skill and talent and the contribution Indigenous players make to Australian Football.

In 2011 Richmond introduced the Dreamtime Guernsey competition as an opportunity for an Indigenous artist to design a one-off guernsey for the match – and the response from the AFL community was overwhelmingly positive. In 2012, in the second year of the competition, more than 70 entries were received.

In 2012 the Australian Government was proud to partner with Richmond Football Club to support the competition with $10,000 through the Indigenous Culture Support program.

Arts Minister Simon Crean with designer of the Dreamtime Gurnsey, Stuart Harradine. Image courtesy of Richmond Football Club