“I FEEL so privileged to be able to wear this jumper with pride on Friday.”

For Carlton defender Liam Jones, the chance to open Sir Doug Nicholls Round in a city that he’s connected to represents something special.

Speaking to Carlton Media following the release of the Blues’ 2020 AFL Indigenous guernsey, Jones spoke of his connection to the Northern Territory.

01:21

2020 Indigenous guernsey unveiled

The story behind the jumper: this is what Carlton will be wearing when it kicks off Sir Doug Nicholls Round on Friday night.

“It’s going to be awesome, it’s a great round to celebrate Indigenous cultures all over Australia and it’s one us Indigenous boys really hold close to our hearts,” Jones said.

“We pencil it in every year and with all the unknown that’s happened this year, it’s special that it’s up in Darwin.”

“I’ve got a lot of family up there, Dad was born and raised so I’ll have a few supporters in the crowd.

01:44

Listen and learn: Cripps, Jones on Sir Doug Nicholls Round

Carlton leaders Patrick Cripps and Liam Jones speak on the guernsey, the importance and the honour of kicking off Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

“To kick it off is a real special moment for us, to go out there and to wear this jumper and represent our people is going to be great.”

It’s a round Jones marks in his calendar each year, made more significant with the challenges 2020 has presented.

“It’s celebrating all Indigenous cultures all over Australia. The AFL has done such a great job over the years to really highlight not only Indigenous round, but throughout the season,” he said.

“We’ve got so many special Indigenous players and I feel so privileged to be able to wear this jumper with pride on Friday night and represent everyone all over Australia.”

Jones forms part of an elite group of Carlton indigenous players, impacting the Club in both the past and present.

From Syd Jackson, through to Andrew Walker and the recently returned Eddie Betts, Jones is endlessly inspired by his Indigenous predecessors and teammates.

“It is really special; Syd is still really connected to the Club. I chimed in on his call with ‘Samo’ last week,” he said.

“Then ‘Walks’ was such a great role model in the Indigenous space but also just in the professional athlete space and the things that he did on the field.

“To be honest, I still pinch myself when I’m running around with Eddie Betts. To be able to play an Indigenous round game with him is going to be unbelievable.”