The Sydney Swans host Hawthorn tonight for Marn Grook at the SCG.
This year marks the Sydney Swans’ 16th annual Marn Grook match. The Swans first played for the Marn Grook Trophy in 2002 to celebrate the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players to our game.
Meaning “game ball”, Marn Grook is the name given to the Aboriginal ball game played with a possum skin ball. The game inspired Australian Rules Football.
WELCOME TO COUNTRY
To be performed by Aunty Marcia Ella-Duncan, Chairperson of the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and her partner Phil will be the representative for this event.
DAN SULTAN PERFORMING
Aria award winning artist Dan Sultan will headline the pre-match ceremony at tonight’s Marn Grook at the SCG match. Sultan will perform two songs from approximately 7.28pm.
GIFT EXCHANGE
The hunting boomerang, made from red gum wood, is a tool used during traditional hunting practices. It is thrown by the hunter to disable animals such as kangaroos, emus and goannas. Boomerangs such as this are particularly important to the La Perouse Aboriginal community as members of the community have been selling boomerangs and conducting boomerang throwing exhibitions for tourists since the 1800s. In addition to this, engaging in the creation and sale of these boomerangs is an early example of Aboriginal people in the Sydney area participating in the post-colonial economy.
INDIGENOUS GUERNSEY
The 2017 Sydney Swans Indigenous guernsey pays homage to the Club’s original Indigenous guernsey designed by Lisa Sansbury, mother of Sydney Swans champion, Adam Goodes. The artwork on the guernsey depicts where the city meets the sea, telling the tale of Indigenous people coming together around Sydney’s harbour and estuaries.
FRANKLIN AND RAMPE NUMBER CHANGE
Swans forward Lance Franklin and vice-captain Dane Rampe will line up in guernsey No. 67 and 50 respectively tonight, to honour the 50-year anniversary of the landmark 1967 referendum.
MOST CAREER GOALS
Lance needs three goals to draw level with Bernie Quinlan in 10th spot for most goals in VFL/AFL history. Since his debut in 2005, Franklin has kicked 814 goals.
BANNER
Our banner tonight is in Dharawal language and will read:
gadhungal yagay buraynhay
naggangbi marngrookdha
Which translates to:
Tonight we celebrate the First Australians
Welcome to Marn Grook
GOODES-O’LOUGHLIN MEDAL
The player judged best on ground will be presented with the Goodes-O’Loughlin Medal to honour the contribution of Swans greats Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin.
GO FOUNDATION – OFFICIAL MATCH-DAY CHARITY PARTNER
The Goodes-O’Loughlin (GO) Foundation is the official match-day charity partner tonight. Founded in 2009, the GO Foundation aims to provide opportunities for a brighter future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by providing full scholarships to quality schools.
TEAM
The Swans have made one change for tonight’s clash with Hawthorn, with Oliver Florent replacing speedster Harry Cunningham (foot). For the Swans’ Round 10 team, please click here.
NEAFL – Round 9
Sydney Swans v Gold Coast
Saturday 27 May, 12pm, Newcastle Oval
AROUND THE GROUND
There is plenty happening around the ground today including the Indigenous markets and art installations, Volkswagen Fan Zone, Swans Fan Dome including the Citi Spin2Win wheel, face painting plus much more. Arrive early to get involved.
CLICK HERE for further match day information including transport messaging for tonight's match.
