Our 2025 Marn Grook gift is an artwork on canvas created by ARA First Nations Academy coach Maurice Goolagong.

In 2011, Maurice became the first player to kick 1000 goals in the AFL’s Black Diamonds League and last year he was an inaugural inductee into the New South Wales Australian Football Hall of Fame.

The artwork depicts the Sydney Swans and Carlton, as well as paying homage to the theme for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Past Legacies, Future Legends.

When we take to the field for Marn Grook at the SCG on Friday night we will be exchanging a very special gift with Carlton – and it shares an important connection with our ARA First Nations Academy.

The artwork on canvas has been painted by goalkicking great and ARA First Nations Academy coach Maurice Goolagong.

Goolagong, nicknamed “Park footy Plugger,” was the first First Nations player to kick 1000 goals in the AFL Black Diamond League – a feat he achieved in 2011.

Originally from Barellan in the western Riverina, Goolagong became a football legend in the Hunter Central Coast league playing for the Terrigal-Avoca Panthers.

He topped the competition goalkicking a record eight times and booted more than 1,500 goals in a 300-plus game career from 1990-2015.

Last year, Goolagong was one of 100 inaugural inductees into the New South Wales Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Goolagong is also an accomplished artist.

The artwork for our Marn Grook gift exchange depicts the Sydney Swans and Carlton, as well as paying homage to the theme for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Past Legacies, Future Legends. The boomerangs at the top of the artwork represent the past, while those at the bottom represent the future.

The Sydney Swans would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Maurice for the gift, as well as his immense contribution to our great game.