THE Carlton Football Club is proud to launch its 2022 AFL Indigenous guernsey which will be worn in the opening game of this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

The guernsey is a reflection of reconciliation between the Carlton Football Club and its Indigenous players and has been designed by Indigenous artist Shanai Kellett.

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"The guernsey's name is 'Cleanse'": Kellett details design

Shanai Kellett, Yorta Yorta/Juru descendant and designer of the Blues' 2022 AFL Indigenous guernsey, describes what the 2022 AFL Indigenous guernsey represents and all the elements included.

Each circle represents the Club’s Indigenous players and their country, and every past and present Indigenous player to have worn the Carlton guernsey in both AFL and AFLW is named on the front and back of the design.

Kellett has a special link to Indigenous Round being the great granddaughter of Sir Doug Nicholls and she wanted the design to feature as many Indigenous stories from the Club as possible.

“The white dots represent smoke and the blue dots represent water which resembles the emotion of being cleansed,” she said.

“The pathways lead to different communities that we come from, including the AFLW Indigenous symbol and diamond to represent my great grandfather which can both be found on the back of the design.

“Coming from both the Yorta Yorta and Juru regions I am lucky enough to have dual cultures that I can share through my art, and I am honoured the Blues will wear this guernsey to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round.”

The guernsey has been launched in partnership with ADCO Constructions, the Club's Official Partner of all Indigenous advocacy, education and awareness-raising activities, including standing up to racism and improving cultural awareness.

Carlton will wear the Indigenous guernsey during the opening match of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round against Sydney on Friday 20 May.

Jack Martin chose to be represented through his language group Yawuru which is featured on the front left-hand side of the guernsey.

“Yawuru is the traditional language spoken in Broome which is where I was born and lived for 12 years growing up,” he said.

“The Yawuru people hail from the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and it was important to me to have that representation on our Indigenous guernsey this year.

“This is a special few weeks, for our community but also everybody who is part of and enjoys our great game. It is a chance to celebrate everything that is special about our culture and as a club we look forward to representing this guernsey with pride.”

Carlton CEO Brian Cook said it was an honour to have Sir Doug Nicholls' great granddaughter on board to design the Club’s Indigenous guernsey this year.

“Coming into Sir Doug Nicholls Round we are especially grateful to have Shanai create this design which is symbolic to not only the Indigenous players represented, but every member of our Club as a whole,” Cook said.

“It is a privilege to be able to debut the guernsey under Friday night lights in front of a home crowd for the opening game of Sir Doug Nicholls Round and we look forward to celebrating Indigenous culture and its contribution to our game over the coming weeks.”

Click here to get your own limited edition Carlton AFL Indigenous guernsey.

All proceeds raised from the player-issued guernsey auction will support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation and the Club’s Indigenous programs.