This weekend the Brisbane Lions will travel to take on Collingwood at the MCG to commemorate the annual round which celebrates Indigenous players and culture, named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls.

Sir Doug Nicholls round celebrates the influential role that Indigenous Australians have played within the AFL community.

Sir Doug, who epitomised the spirit of reconciliation, played 54 games for Fitzroy between 1932 and 1937 and was a brilliant all-round athlete.

The Indigenous athlete was the first VFL/AFL player to have been knighted and was devoted to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This year, Brisbane based artist Janelle McQueen was selected to design the 2017 Brisbane Lions Indigenous guernsey.

As an Indigenous member of the community, McQueen explains the honour she has to represent both her culture and passion for the Brisbane Lions.

“I was over the moon about the opportunity to design the jumper this year. The Fitzroy Lions have been a large part of my childhood in Melbourne,” said McQueen.

“To have the opportunity to partake in showcasing the growth and changes of the Club has been very exciting for me.”

“I know this guernsey will just pop against the black and white of Collingwood.”

The guernsey features three boomerangs, representing the three respective Clubs which form Brisbane Lions' history, Fitzroy Lions, Brisbane Bear and Brisbane Lions. 

The three boomerangs are positioned across the ‘red-centre’, similarly shaped like a man’s shield, or football field, and represents the spiritual place celebrated as the Gabba.

The back of the guernsey represents Sir Doug Nicholls and the journey of his life with the Fitzroy Lions.

Brisbane Lions’ Indigenous players Cedric Cox and Allen Christensen believe that the guernsey and Sir Doug Nicholls round are a special opportunity to recognise the culture and history of Indigenous communities such as theirs.

“It’ll make me very proud to see the boys donning this guernsey,” said Christensen.

“Not only will the boys have the opportunity to represent mine and Cedric’s families, they will also represent the Aboriginal community around Brisbane.”

Unfortunately, Christensen is set to miss this weekend’s Indigenous round as he continues to overcome a shoulder injury obtained earlier in the season.

Cedric Cox is is excited for the Club to showcase what the jumper means to him and his family.

“I cannot wait for us to show the crowd how much this means to my family and to the Club,” said Cox.

The Round 10 Indigenous match will be played against Collingwood this Sunday afternoon at the MCG.

The 2017 Indigenous Guernsey can be purchased ahead of the weekend’s match instore in the Lions Shop or online at lionsshop.com.au