The Cats will hope for a repeat of last season’s result against Richmond in tonight’s match kicking off the AFLW’s Indigenous round.
Last year a six-goal second quarter helped Geelong record its first win of the season against a then win-less Richmond.
The Cats are again seeking their first win of the season in the rematch, as are Richmond.
Cats forward and Larrakia woman Steph Williams, originally from Darwin, spoke of her excitement ahead of pulling on the club’s first AFLW Indigenous guernsey.
“It’s going to be amazing,” Williams said this week.
“It’s always a special feeling putting on the hoops when we run out as a team, and it’s going to be even more empowering wearing the Indigenous jumper.”
The guernsey is the work of Corrina Eccles, and pays tribute to the story of Djilang, the Wadawurrung word for Geelong.
“I wanted [to] take people back on a journey to what the country was like prior to how we see the built environment today,” Eccles said.
“In the design I have the Kardiniyoo, the sunrise taking place and the two teams coming together to play what we call Marngrook.
“The Barwon River is a place that our eels would travel down. The eels then meet on our coast, our saltwater country.
“Then we have our mountain country, our big hills and Bunjil. Bunjil watches over this country he created, he will often fly over the stadium, watching over country and the river.”
Bunjil the eagle commemorates the recent loss of two lives among the Aboriginal community.
Geelong Football Club is also mourning the death of VFL team manager Vic Fuller, who collapsed during training on Monday, aged 79.
“Vic was a constant at the club for close to 50 years,” the club said in a statement conveying its condolences to his family.
“Vic’s presence at the club was larger than life. He touched so many through his time at the club. Everyone that encountered him will have a story to tell from knowing Vic.”
The Cat’s men will take on Collingwood in a practice match commencing at 11am today.
