Fremantle have unveiled their 2023 Indigenous jumper, which they will wear for their Sir Doug Nicholls Round games in rounds 10 and 11.
The jumper is designed by Carly Grey in collaboration with Alex Pearce. Pearce and Grey are close friends who hail from palawa country, and the jumper tells the story of Pearce’s journey from Tasmania to Noongar country to play for Fremantle.
From 2023 onwards, the Club will be known as the Walyalup Football Club during Sir Doug Nicholls and AFLW Indigenous Rounds, this year taking on Geelong and Naarm (Melbourne).
Pearce was proud to work on the jumper with Grey, who is a close friend who has previously painted his boots for Sir Doug Nicholls Round games.
“I’m incredibly proud, it’s been a really cool process,” Pearce said.
“It’s been really nice to bring elements of our Tasmanian Indigenous heritage and Freo’s Indigenous heritage and combine them.
“It tells my story of travelling from my home of Tasmania to now, my home of Fremantle. It’s a story shared by Carly as well.”
READ MORE: The meaning behind Fremantle's 2023 Indigenous jumper
Pearce follows in the footsteps of Michael Walters, Des Headland, Antoni Grover, Troy Cook, Dale Kickett and Roger Hayden as players who have contributed to designs for the Club’s Indigenous jumpers.
He said the influence of Fremantle’s current and past Indigenous players gave him the impetus to look into his own heritage.
“I’ve had lots of strong Indigenous leaders from when I first got to the Club,” Pearce said.
“Their strong connection to their culture and their family was so evident for me. It made me want to learn a bit about my history and be more comfortable about sharing my history and being proud of where I came from.
“Roger Hayden was my first development coach, he’s designed a lot of the jumpers and is still involved in the footy club through our NGA. He’s a huge mentor for me and a great resource throughout my whole career.”
Pearce is Fremantle’s first Indigenous captain and as such will be the first player to lead the team out wearing an Indigenous jumper he helped design.
“Wearing a jumper that represents me and tells some of my story, it’s going to be really special and it’s going to certainly be a game that I’ll remember,” Pearce said.
“A lot of my family will fly over and to be able to share that with them will be really nice.”
A proud Tasmanian, Pearce said it was fitting timing for the Club to acknowledge the Indigenous history of Tasmania, with the AFL announcing last Wednesday the state’s licence for a 19th AFL team.
“With the big news of Tassie joining the league…it’s the first AFL jersey with a map of Tassie on it but it won’t be the last!” Pearce said.
“I made sure I sent it to ‘Sonny’ (Walters) to get his opinion on it, I wasn’t sure if the boys would be happy running around with the map of Tassie on the jersey.
“He was really supportive and wanted to make sure it told a story of me and my culture and my family.
“Nathan Wilson got an early draft as well and he gave it the thumbs up. It’s nice to feel supported by the brothers.”
Carly is the sister of former Fremantle player Brady Grey, who is currently the Club’s Indigenous Player Liaison and Development Coach.
The design process was done in conjunction with Fremantle’s ‘Stretch’ RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan). The RAP was developed in assistance with the Club’s Indigenous program partner, Woodside.
