The Sydney Swans AFLW side will celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round and AFLW Indigenous Round this week, as the side travels to Coffs Harbour this weekend to host Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) at C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

This year’s celebration will take place over Round 3 (29 - 30 Aug) and Round 4 (5 - 6 Sept) of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season, celebrating the excellence and contribution of First Nations people to Australian Rules Football. 

Celebrating the theme ‘Strengthened by First Nations. Moments. Connections. Stories’, the Swans will host Euro-Yroke in Round Three on Saturday, August 29 at 4:35pm following victories over the Adelaide Crows and Essendon to start their season.

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"I'm so proud to be Indigenous" - Fish

A proud Zippy Fish reflects on her culture as we look ahead to AFLW Indigenous Round.

Zippy Fish, a proud Noongar, Wongi, Larrakian and Wirangu woman who hails from Western Australia is extremely proud about being able to represent her culture and history this AFLW Indigenous Round.

“I'm running out there for me, for my family and for my culture," Fish said.

"But also for the little girls that are watching and that aspire to be an elite athlete one day. It’s really a privilege”.

Fish was recognised as the 2025 Telstra AFLW Rising Star winner, polling the maximum votes in the end of the year award. Emerging as one of Sydney's key talents, Fish finished fourth in the Swans' best and fairest, earned an All-Australian team selection in 2025 and represented Australia in the historic inaugural Australia v Ireland representative match last month.

However a historic Round 2 victory at the SCG, which saw 16,672 people attend the Swans AFLW game, doubling the previous crowd record, was a real highlight.

“It's hard to beat last weekend. Playing at the SCG in front of 16,000 people and to come away with the win as well, it was pretty special,” Zippy said. 

Fish's first season in red and white had plenty of highlights, starring in the backline and in the midfield. 

Donning the Swans’ famous number 23 guernsey, Zippy’s choice was inspired by Franklin, but also takes plenty of inspiration from past Indigenous players Jaide Anthony, Aliesha Newman and Adam Goodes.

“It's pretty cool to be a part of some of those names with such a rich history and they've all been great players of the game,” Fish said. 

“I just try and take a little bit of each and every one of their skills and bring it to my game and hopefully I can be half as special as they were.

“He [Buddy Franklin] was just an excitement to the game. The things that he could do not normal. So watching him, I kind of learnt some things that I try and incorporate in my game," Fish added.

The Sydney Swans AFLW side will wear the club’s 2026 Marn Grook Guernsey in Round 3 and 4. The guernsey featured earlier this season when the Swans AFL side hosted Collingwood at the SCG in a Round 10 victory.

The design is adapted from the work of renowned Bidjigal artist Jordan Ardler which first debuted in 2025. 

The Marn Grook Guernsey shares a connection with the club's home, The Sellers & Colless Centre, Sydney Swans HQ as it has been adapted from the work showcased through the Welcome to Country at the club’s entrance.

Titled “Wuri Wuri”, which translated from the Dharawal language means “sunshine”, the artwork reflects the Sydney Swans community and is an acknowledgement of the Gadigal and Bidjigal lands on which Sydney Swans HQ stands. 

Learn more about the Marn Grook guernsey story here. The 2026 Marn Grook Guernsey is available via the Swanshop. 

From 2026, Sir Doug Nicholls Round and AFLW Indigenous Round will be underpinned by an enduring theme that consistently carries across years: ‘Strengthened by First Nations. Moments. Connections. Stories.’ 

The theme provides an opportunity for the AFL, clubs and players to showcase defining moments, people, and stories that celebrate the sporting legacy of First Nations people within the game and beyond.

It communicates that the game is stronger when First Nations players are at the heart of it. First Nations excellence is more than football ability, it reflects resilience, culture, community and belonging. When First Nations players thrive, the game is stronger, more exciting and more meaningful for everyone.