MANY parts of Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds catch the eye: the stunning jumpers, the breath-taking pre-game ceremonies and the look of the centre circle draped in the Indigenous flag. 

Another element of the celebratory rounds quickly becoming a feature is the array of painted boots worn by the players. 

The Carlton Football Club has released the jumper that both AFL and AFLW teams will wear in 2023, starting against Collingwood at the MCG in Round 10 and when they take on the Sydney in Round 11 at the SCG.  

In addition to the 2023 Indigenous guernsey designed by proud Tiwi woman Russelina Puruntatameri, many of the team will continue the acknowledgement of First Nations people through boots painted by Indigenous artist Kirralee Costelloe.  

Initially, the painted boots were intended for just the team’s Indigenous players. However, after seeing Costello’s work, AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss reached out to the talented artist and asked if she would paint the entire team’s boots – including the coaches’ dress shoes.   

“Originally the Club just wanted a few select Indigenous players to get their boots done for Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds,” Costelloe said.  

“I completed the first three boots . . . I then received a message asking if I would be willing to take on the whole team and do every player's boots.  

“I said yes straight away and committed to the challenge.”  

Having the entire club embrace her designs, what they stand for and why it is so important is something Costelloe hopes isn’t lost on those who notice the boots across the two weekends. 

The importance of the two rounds where the entire football community celebrates the impact First Nations people have had on our game can’t be understated. 

The painting of the boots is a way for players to feel connected to their own path and journey during these special weeks. 

“To go out onto the field with your tribe, number and story literally at your feet, it just holds a whole new meaning to the round for those players to represent their own family and story,” she said. 

“You always see the guernsey designs that not only the professional teams have, but even grassroots football teams have as well, which is amazing in itself to have artwork showcased on the playing jumpers.  

“Not only do they get to wear a guernsey that so strongly represents our people, but each player's boots have their own story on them. Their boots are unique to them which is even more special.”  

The process of creating the designs for the boots started with tribes.   

For the Indigenous members of the playing group, it was about their tribe and where they come from. For the non-Indigenous players, it was about the tribe they wanted to represent. 

The boots all have their own story, requested by the players, making each pair unique to them.

Costelloe said she was incredibly proud to see the players go out on the field within the coming weeks. 

Many players wanted their playing number included on their footwear and chose the colours they wanted Costelloe to paint with. These are the features that make the boots unique to each player.  

“Each player gave me their tribe, or tribe they want to be represented if they are non-Indigenous, their number and the colours they'd like incorporated,” she said.  

“I prioritise this information before doing any other design, as this is what makes the boots so unique. I'll find a space that fits each piece of information best and use colours that best help it stand out, which are usually white or bright colours.”  

Explaining how some players looked to merge their own heritage into the beautiful Aboriginal artwork, Costelloe made mention of Jack Silvagni who paid homage to his roots with his choice of colours.  

“The players also use the colours to represent different things as well, such as Jack Silvagni who wanted to represent his Italian heritage with the red, green and white colours,” she said. 

“Jack's stood out to me because I loved how he wanted to represent all aspects of his heritage and where his family is from, so I loved having that in mind when creating his designs. 

“Another example is any players who want black, yellow and red to showcase the Aboriginal flag colours, or green and blue for the Torres Strait Islands.  

“They're all uniquely different and each pair is so fun to work with and create.”  

Another that stood out for the talented artist was from Josh Honey, whose request for brown and green colours is not a combination that Costelloe had worked with in the past. 

The nerves about the colour scheme turned to elation as the small forward’s boots ended up being one of Costelloe’s most beloved pairs. 

“Josh's request stood out to me because he is the only player that has requested that colour combination. I was really nervous about how it would turn out, but by the end of it, they were probably my favourite pair.” 

Grateful and overjoyed, Costelloe explained the emotions of pride of being chosen to share the stories of First Nations athletes at the elite level, as well as non-Indigenous athletes.  

“I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity Carlton has given me. I think I'm just really proud of myself for getting to a point in my career where people are noticing and genuinely want me to help them share their stories through my art,” she said.  

“I've only really done designs for family and friends, so to be noticed by a club like Carlton, it shows me that my hard work has paid off and it's such an amazing feeling.” 

You can follow and learn more about Kirralee via her website or Instagram.