Hawthorn’s AFLW Indigenous Guernsey has been unveiled ahead of the 2024 Indigenous Round commencing this Thursday.
The guernsey was designed by proud Whadjuk, Ballardong and Eastern Arrernte artist Jade Dolman, who also designed the men’s 2024 Indigenous Guernsey.
The guernsey tells the story of Hawthorn’s AFLW journey, including the three First Nations players who have pulled on the brown and gold across the club's history in Kaitlyn Ashmore, Mattea Breed and Janet Baird.
The three circles on the front of the guernsey represent the three players, with the three lines between those representing the three foundational pillars of people, football and sustainability.
The back of the guernsey shows the rain that nurtures the seeds of growth and development, as well as the people coming together in celebration of football and resilience, surrounded by community and football supporters.
Following on from the men’s design earlier this year, Dolman said she was was excited to be asked to design the AFLW guernsey as well.
“I think it's really awesome to have those (guernseys) kind of connected and aligned, so that I was able to represent the story for the men's team and for the women's team. It's a great honour to be able to do that so l am very, very happy to have done that,” Dolman said.
“So in this design this is the third year for the women's team, so three is an important number.
“I felt very connected to both the men's and the women's jumper design, but in very different ways. Like, being Ballardong, the men's design was very important to be able to design Chance Bateman's story at the club so we are connected culturally.
“And then with the women's, being a woman myself, l felt also very connected to that. And being able to paint about the Indigenous players that are representing the club and the women's club starting their journey with reconciliation, just being at the early stages of that, so I felt connected to both stories.
“I can't wait to see the women wear the jumpers for the first time it’s gonna be an incredible feeling and I'm very excited to experience it and to share that with the players and the community.
“And having the jumpers available for the public as well is also very exciting for people to be able to connect with those stories and represent them in their own way.”
The Hawks will wear their 2024 Indigenous Guernsey to open up Indigenous Round this Thursday night in their Week 9 clash against Narrm in Cairns, before pulling it on again to take on Richmond in Week 10.
