For former Fremantle AFLW player Tiah Toth, being asked to design the Club's Indigenous jumper was an emotional and proud moment. Recognising her own artistic limitations, she enlisted the help of her sister Breeanna Haynes, turning the project into a meaningful family collaboration.
"It was more about the story that I've had knowing that there was so much adversity along the way," Toth said.
"For me I was super proud to be asked (to design the jumper by Walyalup) – it does make you emotional when the Club thinks of you even as an ex-player as well. So, for me to have the opportunity was massive but at the same time my first thought was I can't draw so this is going to be a real test.
"There is no one more important than your family so to be able to have Breeanna join me on this and to actually use her artistic skills to design this jumper has been a massive privilege not only for me but for her as well to be able to showcase what she can do for our culture but for herself as well.
"You don't go on a football journey alone, there are so many outside things that happen as well so to have all the injuries along the way – and my career was amazing and I'm so proud of what I did but obviously at the same time it didn't go to plan.
"The whole way through that I've had my family, I've had my friends and to be able to have the family involved in the design process and to have them represented on this jumper as well it's massive for them and it's exciting. They get to see how grateful I was for what they did for me along the way.”
Indigenous round guernseys serve as a reminder that a footballer's journey extends far beyond the playing field. It celebrates resilience, family bonds, and cultural pride. For Toth and Haynes, the opportunity to create this design has been a privilege, allowing them to share Toth’s story and honour their heritage in a uniquely personal way.
"I guess for us the Willie Wagtails represent our great nan Dixon - she was 98 when she passed away. She was a massive Queen for our family and to be able to have her represented on this jumper is huge and I know that she'd be so proud of what we've done. She was always so proud to watch me on the TV no matter where she was so for me that's huge,” Toth explained.
"Also, the part where it shows basically my whole career is stated in this artwork, so that's massive for me. Not everyone will understand the line that I've gone through but for me to see that on the jumper is incredible.”
Toth anticipates an emotional response when seeing the Walyalup players take the field wearing the guernsey. Having experienced the pride of representing her people, Club, and family during Indigenous round as a player, she hopes the current team will feel a similar sense of honour.
"It will be emotional (seeing the girls run out with the jumper on). I know how excited I was and how grateful I was to be able to represent not only my people, the Club, but my family as well when I ran out for Indigenous round,” Toth said.
“To be able to represent them on your home turf is huge. I'll get emotional but at the same time I'm just so excited to see how the girls go and I hope they are proud to wear these jumpers as well."
