INAUGURAL Game Changer and proud Kamilaroi woman Natalie Plane couldn’t be more excited to celebrate Indigenous Round at IKON Park this Sunday.
For Plane, the round provides boundless opportunities to not only celebrate her indigenous culture, but to educate and inspire.
"I think Indigenous Round is really important, we get to celebrate aboriginal culture and the contribution that Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander people have made to the AFL," Plane told the Credit to the Girls podcast.
"The AFL is massive in Australia and can advocate for indigenous culture – everyone loves AFL and that’s why Indigenous Round in the AFL is so important.
It’s really cool getting to see myself and other aboriginal people celebrate and be proud to be who they are – we get to be loud and proud and embrace our culture."
While just the second league-wide Indigenous Round across the AFLW, Plane has found her teammates support has extended beyond just one match in the football calendar.
"A lot of my teammates are quite interested so we talk about it a fair bit actually, and not just because it’s Indigenous Round," she said.
"The girls love to get around it and I feel like they’re just as excited to celebrate Indigenous Round as I am which is really special."
The round does provide an important conversation-starter, with Plane encouraging the opportunity to ask questions, learn and educate others.
"We should always be celebrating indigenous culture and not just because it’s Indigenous Round but it is a great time to educate the wider community," she said.
"It’s important to continue to ask questions, even if you're unsure or embarrassed – this is the best time to ask.
"You’re educating yourself and then you can have those conversations with your family and your friends. We’re sharing culture and spreading that through the wider community which is really important."
Carlton will celebrate its Indigenous Round this week in front of a home crowd against Gold Coast, wearing its Indigenous jumper designed by Brooke Sutton.
"Brooke has done an amazing design and it’s about celebrating Carlton and the Carlton way, and the wider community around the club.
"It’s really exciting to wear and she’s so talented – she’s only 17 – and last year we had Ky-ya [Nicholson-Ward] who is also another young indigenous artist, so it’s really cool for these young indigenous artists to get such amazing opportunities."
Two wins from two weeks acknowledging Indigenous Round would be the cherry on top for Plane.
"We just want to stick to our game plan and trust the process. We’re capable of achieving whatever we think we can achieve.
"When you’re enjoying what you’re doing and you’re confident, it leads to success."
