Culture comes first, with Demons’ Indigenous Round celebrations
South Dubbo Oval plays host Saturday to three Dubbo Demons and Bathurst Bushrangers contests as the first of several Indigenous Round celebrations kick off across the region.
Dubbo, a club with strong connections to the local Indigenous Community debuted their Indigenous commemorative guernsey in 2021, with former player and proud Indigenous woman Trudy Sloane designing the piece.
The guernsey, a staple of the Demons Indigenous Round celebrations since it was first worn represents the Dubbo community. The Macquarie River, including the native platypus, features prominently, whilst the campfire links the AFL teams of Dubbo – Men’s, Women’s, and Junior – together.
Sloane’s artwork’s background, which she says is a signature of hers, includes handprints, representing the elders, those who were caretakers of the land, and the many connections between player club and game.
Across the next fortnight, Dubbo will wear the guernsey proudly, the crucial top of the table clashes with the Bushrangers Tier 1 and Women’s sides launching the celebrations.
Ahead of the weekend, club President Kaitlyn Waldie spoke to the importance of the Round. “Sir Doug Nicholls Round is a pretty significant one for our club.”
“Several current and past members of our club are also members of the local Indigenous community.”
Whilst it is early in the season, the Bushrangers women sitting above the Demons on the ladder has not been a common sight in past years. The contest is a huge opportunity for both unbeaten sides to stamp their name as favourites of the competition.
For the match, two of the competition’s rising junior stars face off on the senior stage, atop the grade’s Goalkicking award. Dubbo’s Molly Mayal (11) and Bushrangers’ Nell Griffin (8) have both booted a bag of six goals once in the opening three rounds.
Griffin and Mayall sit more than double the goals of third-placed Keaghan Tucker and will showcase their skills against each other for the first time in senior football.
In Tier 1, the Bushrangers went 2-0 after a strong Round 2 victory against neighbours and reigning premiers Bathurst GIANTS. Dubbo, meanwhile, picked up their first win, defeating Orange Tigers on the road.
The high-scoring Bushrangers, having kicked 19 and 14 goals respectively to open the season, will be looking to consolidate top spot with a win on the difficult road trip.
Both sides are fresh after an early-season Tier 1 bye, and a huge chance for the hosts to claim an early scalp.
Dubbo is a rejuvenated side in 2024 following a 2023 which netted one win, and early signs are positive. The big challenge is claiming a result against either Bathurst side, and, although competitive in the Round 1 loss to the Giants, haven’t beaten the Bushrangers since 2021.
Long-standing clubmen, Andy Pearson and Jacob Pearce will play their 100th Senior match for the hosts in Men’s Tier 2. Both players, who started with the Demons in 2008, haven’t missed a beat since returning to the club in 2021. Their Tier 2 teammates will be looking for win number two of the season following their success in Parkes last weekend.
For Dubbo’s Indigenous Round celebrations, local Elder Riverbank Frank will perform a Welcome to Country prior to the Women’s match. Trudy Sloane has prepared some pieces of art which will be awarded to each matches’ player adjudged as Best on Ground.
As always, the centre circle will be transformed into an Aboriginal Flag, and the South Dubbo Oval is in pristine condition for the three huge games.
Casey White, Community Football and Competition Manager congratulated Dubbo on their consistent engagement with the local Indigenous community. “Dubbo does a fantastic job each year with their Indigenous Round celebrations. As a community with close ties to Indigenous culture, the club really commit to showing support and promotion an inclusive club environment.”
“Many Central West clubs go above and beyond in recognising the impact Indigenous culture has had on our great game, and the communities we play in.”
The matchday begins at 11am with Men’s Tier 2, followed by Women’s (12:30pm) and Men’s Tier 1 (2:15pm).
AFL Central West acknowledges the Wiradjuri People on which all AFL Central West matches are played on and pay respect to Elders past, present and emerging in addition to all people of Indigenous heritage involved in our matches as players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, and spectators.
