Adelaide and West Coast are the two latest AFL clubs to announce that they will change names for the upcoming Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.
Adelaide will change its name to Kuwarna, while West Coast will be known as Waalitj Marawar in a celebration of Indigenous culture and heritage. The changes will take place during Rounds 10 and 11.
It comes after Fremantle (Walyalup), Port Adelaide (Yartapuulti) and Melbourne (Naarm) all changed their names for Sir Doug Nicholls Round in recent years.
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Kuwarna (pronounced goo-wun-na) is the Kaurna translation for the word Crows and has been used in consultation with the Kaurna Warra Karrpanthi Language Corporation.
The rebranding pays tribute to Adelaide’s rich history of Aboriginal players while promoting a deeper understanding and respect for Indigenous knowledge systems through language.
Superstar forward Izak Rankine helped design the Crows guernsey this year and said it was a significant and proud moment.
“It represents how far we have come in this industry in recognising First Nations people and the contribution that they have made to the game,” he said.
“To see the Club’s name change on TV is great exposure, particularly for young Indigenous kids who love their footy.”
“It shows the Club is on board with celebrating Indigenous culture and us as people, so it’s a pretty big and proud moment and continues what is already a broader celebration of Sir Doug Nicholls Round,” teammate Wayne Milera added.
West Coast’s new name – Waalitj Marawar means ‘Eagle of the West’ in the local Noongar language.
Their guernsey is designed by Yamatji artist Loretta Egan and was influenced by former club champion Chris Lewis.
““The ‘Ngularl’ is the wedge-tailed eagle in Wajarri language, surrounded by the map of WA – the home of the Eagle – where it stands proud and strong, facing east ready for anything that comes its way,” Egan said.
“The circle in the centre represents the Eagles’ nest. The U-shapes around the circle represent people sitting around the home of the Eagles. The four stars represent the four premierships we have won.
“The Eagle tracks up the top signify the Eagles players leaving their mark wherever they play. The other circles represent other AFL clubs.”
Originally published as ‘Celebrating Indigenous culture’: Crows, Eagles to change names for Sir Doug Nicholls Round