Arty, Sando, Cooper and Jaquesy yarn with Joey Chatfield-Berg | 2026 First Nations guernsey

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:03]from the top to bottom. The this particular spiritual figure is um all our ancestors that lived and fought and uh who we are today. This particular spiritual figure is um dedicated to my grandparents, both my grandmother and grandfather. I'll dedicate this jumper for for them. I live with them as most most of my years of childhood. Um they were role models to me. um they guided me to be the best person I possibly can.

[00:00:32]And the blue pattern is part of the um parish shield. It's in the western district. It was used on um a number of their artifacts for the players to ensure that while you're playing on game day that you're out there in a war zone situation where you're protecting yourselves, your players, and the club.

[00:00:49]So this is a sign that you know you're going into battle and that's on game day.

[00:00:55]The big red hills here is representing the volcanic plains. Uh Victoria is the third largest volcanic plains in the world. So the volcanic plains is important part of the western district.

[00:01:06]U it's got its own story to tell. The feet and the white line each feet represents a year. The last premiership was 2016. So each each step is um representing um that 10y year anniversary. The stone figures here or the U-shaped figures here are made once again part of the volcanic um material.

[00:01:28]U bassalt was used to build um the foundation construction of uh the ainal huts down in the western district. The this particular figure represents both male and female. The line there could be a digging stick which is well known for the women to use or could also represent a club or bundy which is um known for the men to use. So it can go either way.

[00:01:52]Uh the eel is is one of a major food source down in the western district which definitely something that we still use today. We hunt today spearing fishing netting and all the rest of it.

[00:02:02]So it's a it's a prominent feature to our culture and it's important that I added that story into into this design.

[00:02:09]These stone structures once again from bassalt and volcanic activity made fish traps. So it's the current saltwater freshwater. So the the reason the eels are going opposite direction because they could be coming in or could be going out from fresh water to salt water and vice versa. These represents uh midden sites. I've got abalone shells, these conchks. Um the black dots um also represents um stone fire stones which are once again part of the volcanic process uh but utilized for um campfires for cooking. There's a little hidden feature down the bottom, the 2016 cup. So, just a reminder of um that success at that period of time, but also celebrating the 10 year anniversary. So, just to add on the back, the color utilized for gray is there's no there's no us of black or white. Uh we come together as one uh which creates that color gray. Um again this particular um pattern is representing the protection um and warfare and it's actually helping helping us to go to where we need to go in that protection manner but also importantly we're all together the footy club the administration the coaches the supporter base past players etc are all part of this whole journey so while we're on this journey in solidarity um we are protected as a club that's how this jumper was designed it was all part of the western district and all part of my culture but also importantly part of your culture as far as the football club with the colors utilized but also you know the anniversaries of the um the premiership year and hopefully there's more to come.

[00:03:50]>> Yeah Joey obviously great design um maybe just talk about the process of actually being selected to take part of you know creating this great uh jersey and you know how long did it take and and all that stuff.

[00:04:02]>> Yeah. No, thank you Jake. Um, it's definitely um something you mean I've done a number of jumpers in the past um not at AFL level but just country footy and so forth and um it's I love art and I love storytelling and like Edwards had a bit to do you know tapped me on the shoulder and said listen there's something happening uh will you be interested alongside others I made a 11hour decision to put me um application in little bit of profile as well I was lucky enough to get it and uh it was in late 2024 Um I I was appointed and obviously um not in fact the interruption of last year's jumper. Um I was very happy to get the 2026 jumper knowing it was a 10ear celebration uh of their premiership. But it's it's a natural process for me to tell stories and and reflect on what the jump was about because I lived there, I breathed it, I know my culture, I know my connection to the country and importantly um what my ancestors have gone through uh and what we'll continue fighting for. So yeah, that's how it all came about.

[00:05:05]>> Designing a jumper like this is important to show our culture, but what does it mean to you bringing bringing young fellow here to obviously come and show show him the way?

[00:05:13]>> Yeah, I definitely um thanks Arty. I think um feel privileged to be part of this process, but more importantly to show some real leadership um not just within my community but within family structures. And I think it's important to have your you know family members to be part of it. in in Harry's case as a young fellow um you know cuz one day he may be in this position um for me it's definitely something that it's part of his learning but also part of the importance of um family connection and his aboriginality connection to country because this jump is not just about me he's part of that story and he'll um continue to be part of that story including all me kids and the community in the southwest so >> yeah firstly well done it looks amazing um what does yeah sir Doug Nichol does um round mean to you and your family and your community, but what does it mean to you um and your family?

[00:06:04]>> Yeah, >> a little bit of research about you know how long Doug Nichols um round has been going. Surprisingly, this year is also a celebration of 20 years. Um but the importance of is is to showcase all our indigenous players both male and females. It has the same meaning.

[00:06:19]Doesn't matter what code of sport it is, it has the same meaning. It's it's to acknowledge the u the importance of first nations and talents. those to who are fortunate enough particularly in the AFL system and the VFL system is to is to celebrate as a collective under the under the roof of the club. The importance of that legacy that will continue on for the next 20 odd and more years to come is is important not just for Sug Nichols family and those who celebrate part of the community but just the players to be in these positions.

[00:06:50]It's the importance of um the jumper you wear and what you're celebrating as as a club. So, I'm looking forward to uh uh in a few weeks when you do play on that round and hopefully you guys are all playing on the day and uh good luck to you. Thanks again. I've really enjoyed this this session. I know it takes a little bit of time and I know that you guys will wear this um as pride as as as it is during the day. But, um I know that you guys love it right now. It's going to leave him look better on game day when he's when the four of you are running out with the other teammates and the club. and I wish as well and um go doggies.

[00:07:27]>> All right, B. Good job, bud. Thank you.

[00:07:31]Thanks. Thanks, P. Thanks, B. Good luck with it all.