Sir Doug Nicholls Round

Sir Doug Nicholls Round is a key point in the Australian sporting calendar to recognise and celebrate the contributions of First Nations peoples to our game.

In 2026, the celebration will take place across two key rounds:

Round 10 and Round 11, Thursday 14 May – Sunday 24 May.

At its core, Sir Doug Nicholls Round positions First Nations people as a source of strength within the game, championing their ongoing impact across all levels of football. It supports the AFL and clubs to better showcase the influence and contributions of First Nations players, while reinforcing a unified message: the AFL proudly celebrates and elevates these contributions. It will be the 20th year the AFL has had a dedicated Indigenous Round and the 11th year it’s been known as Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls was a Yorta Yorta man born on Cummeragunja mission on the New South Wales bank of the Murray in 1906. Sir Doug Nicholls played football for Fitzroy before becoming a Pastor and pioneer for reconciliation in Australia.

He went on to become the first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to be knighted and hold the position of Governor of SA. Sir Doug’s daughter, Aunty Pam Pedersen, continues to advocate for Sir Doug’s work, and represents the Nicholls family with the AFL.

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Sir Doug: The Story of Legend

A short film tracing the life and times of Sir Doug Nicholls

Dreamtime at the 'G

Dreamtime at the 'G is a significant annual fixture in the AFL, celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander cultures and their profound contribution to Australian football.

Introduced in 2005, this game sees Essendon and Richmond go head-to-head at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Beyond the thrilling competition on the field, the event honours the rich heritage, stories, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through pre-game ceremonies and activities, fostering unity and a deeper appreciation of Indigenous heritage in sport.

The origins of the Dreamtime game are deeply rooted in recognising and celebrating the profound impact Indigenous players have had on the AFL. The game was inspired by Essendon's former player and coach, Kevin Sheedy, who envisioned the match as a platform to honour the contributions of Indigenous athletes to the league. The name "Dreamtime" refers to the Aboriginal understanding of the world's creation, known as "The Dreaming," which is a critical element of Aboriginal spirituality, culture, and lore.

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Sydney Stack gets involved in the pre-match ceremony

Some nice work by the Indigenous Tiger

Pre-match Ceremony

The pre-match ceremony at the MCG for Dreamtime at the 'G is a stirring tribute to Indigenous cultures, setting the tone for the evening. A Welcome to Country, war cries delivered by both competing teams, light shows and musical performances are often enjoyed during the ceremony. 

Team Guernseys

Since 2014, all AFL clubs have worn specially designed guernseys during Sir Doug Nicholls Round. Each year, clubs design their own unique guernsey, often working with Indigenous artists & designers, with significant stories behind each design. 

Check out 2025's team guernseys here.  

Yiooken Award

The best on ground player during the Dreamtime match between Richmond & Essendon is awarded the Yiooken Award. The inaugural Yiooken Award was presented in 2006. Details on past winners can be found here.