Buy the jumper, scarf or hat from the Fremantle Dockers Team Store
Fremantle are proud to unveil their 2021 Indigenous jumper, which will be worn during Sir Doug Nicholls Round when Fremantle take on Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in round 11 and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium in round 12.
A collaboration between past player Des Headland, AFLW player Mikayla Morrison and Indigenous artist Kevin Bynder, the 2021 jumper combines the heritage of Headland and Morrison, highlights some proud aspects of Fremantle Football Club history and acknowledges the tragic loss of at least 373 Aboriginal men at a Rottnest Island prison camp between 1838 and 1931.
The design process was also done in conjunction with Fremantle’s ‘Stretch’ RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan), which was developed in assistance with the Club’s Indigenous program partner, Woodside.
The front of the jumper tells the stories of Headland and Morrison’s families down both sides of the jumper.
The main design feature shows clapping sticks as the chevrons and two no.7 boomerangs to make the shape of the anchor on the jumper that Headland wore in his playing days.
The back of the jumper shows a map of Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) above a silhouette of a pre-game photo taken taken by former board member Les Everett in round 4, 2003, when a then AFL/VFL record of seven Indigenous players (33 Jeff Farmer, 10 Troy Cook, 28 Steven Koops, 43 Roger Hayden, 14 Antoni Grover, 11 Des Headland, 6 Dion Woods) lined up for Fremantle in a single game.
This record was surpassed again by Fremantle during round 10 2017, when eight Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players were in the side (Brady Grey, Jon Griffin, Joel Hamling, Bradley Hill, Stephen Hill, Michael Johnson, Danyle Pearce, Michael Walters).
The design will also be used as the basis for Fremantle’s Indigenous jumper for Season 6 of the AFLW.
Headland and Morrison’s design continues a tradition of players being involved in the design process. Roger Hayden (2013-2016), Dale Kickett (2017-2018), Troy Cook (2019), Antoni Grover (2020 AFL) and Jasmin Stewart (2020-2021 AFLW) have contributed to past designs.
A 114-game player for Fremantle, Headland said he was incredibly proud to have the opportunity to work with Morrison, his niece, and Bynder, his first cousin.
“We’ve had a lot of great champions of past Aboriginal players that have played at Fremantle, and that’s the best thing about Fremantle, we’ve always had a great representation of culture around this club. To be asked to do a design, and do it with my first cousin in Kevin Bynder, he’s a great artist, and with my niece, Mikayla Morrison, it’s a special moment,” Headland said.
“I’ve known Antoni Grover my whole life, Dale Kickett is a family member of mine. To come back and represent a club that has a real strong cultural heritage since 1995 was one of the main reasons why I came to Fremantle. I wanted to get back to the club and represent our people.”
Headland said he was proud to incorporate Fremantle’s AFLW team into a jumper that represents the whole club.
“We have the women’s team and men’s team and the connections in between. It’s just great to see that we’re one club, we’re united together and I’m glad to see that both teams will wear this jumper over the next year,” Headland said
“I’ve known Mikayla from when she was a baby and now she’s a young woman fulfilling her dreams. I’m very close to her mum and dad and we’re excited to see how she goes in the next 10-12 years in her career.”
Morrison said it was special to work on a design with her family.
“I really enjoyed the process. Especially working with both my uncles, it was very comfortable and we could express our ideas very openly,” Morrison said.
“It will be very emotional (to play in the jumper) and I’ll be really honoured. I feel that honour every Indigenous round, seeing the different designs is very special to me. It really celebrates our culture and gives us a lot of recognition.”
Bynder has designed Indigenous jumpers for both Port Adelaide and West Coast, but said he was most proud of having the chance to work with Fremantle.
“With Fremantle being a team that I love and having so many family members play at the club, I’ve always had a soft spot for Fremantle and still do today,” Bynder said.
“It’s definitely going to be a highlight of my art career. I may get a bit emotional but that’s what happens I suppose when you can create artwork and you see blokes like Son Son (Michael Walters), Fyfey (Nat Fyfe) and (David) Mundy and (Travis) Colyer, those sort of blokes wear something that you’ve designed.
“To see Son Son wearing that jumper…we’re like family, you don’t see that sort of stuff every day, so when you do see it, it’s unbelievable, I’ll put it that way. It’s so good to be able to see it.”
Fremantle’s team store will also be selling a hat and scarf with design elements of the 2021 Indigenous jumper.
All net proceeds from sales of Fremantle’s Indigenous jumper merchandise will go to club or AFL Indigenous programs.
We're thinking of you - The moving gesture on Fremantle's 2021 Indigenous jumper
A deep dive into Fremantle's 2021 Indigenous jumper
