AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen and current Yartapuulti First Nations stars, Gemma Houghton and Sam Powell-Pepper unveil the former club captain's hand-painted guernsey design at Alberton Oval. Image: Matt Sampson.

The Yartapuulti Football Club (Port Adelaide) has unveiled its 2025 First Nations guernsey, designed by AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen.   

As a reflection and symbol of club connection and unity, Yartapuulti will wear the same guernsey across both Sir Doug Nicholls Round and AFLW Indigenous Round for the first time. 

A two-time AFL premiership player, Wanganeen’s decorated career spans 15 years across both the Yartapuulti and Essendon football clubs.  

Four years after winning a premiership with Essendon in 1993, Wanganeen returned home to South Australia to become the inaugural captain of the club’s AFL team.  

He went on to play 173 AFL games for the club, including a memorable performance in the Power’s 2004 premiership victory that saw him place second in the Norm Smith Medal votes behind Byron Pickett.  

Wanganeen etched his name in the history books when he became the first Aboriginal player to be awarded a Brownlow in 1993 and reach a milestone of 300 games in 2006.  

For the first time, both Yartapuulti's AFL and AFLW programs will wear the same First Nations guernsey design. Image: Matt Sampson.

Since retiring from professional football, he harnessed his passion for art and First Nations culture, quickly becoming an acclaimed contemporary Indigenous artist and Aboriginal activist. 

Born in Mount Gambier, Wanganeen is a descendent of the Kokatha people of the Western Desert in South Australia who have a strong connection to country, the night sky, and stories in the stars. It’s these ties that have formed the main source of inspiration for his art.  

Wanganeen said the design reflects his cultural connection to the Milky Way, cherished memories of playing football at the historic Alberton Oval, and the people that make up the club.  

“The guernsey design was inspired by the art that I do. On a personal level, I paint about the night sky and the stars,” Wanganeen said. 

The hand-painted teal stripe across the guernsey represents the Milky Way and the club's heartland around Alberton. Image: Matt Sampson.

A striking teal stripe made up of his intricate paint strokes sits at the centre of the guernsey and represents the Milky Way, and the club’s heartland.  

“The Milky Way represents all the people encompassing the AFL and AFLW programs, the fans, and all the staff that make up the club. It represents everyone involved in that community”.  

The traditional ‘V’ shape on the guernsey is made up by a series of dainty and detailed white and teal dots.  

“In the V, you'll notice that there's a single line of teal dots. They represent the First Nations players since the club's inception, and the club’s strong connection to First Nations players over the years.  

“The white dots represent all the other players who have played for the club, and who the First Nations players have been able to share their culture with.” 

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Gavin Wanganeen unveils 2025 First Nations guernsey

AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen explains the story behind his beautiful First Nations guernsey design.

Reflecting on the significance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round and his design, Wanganeen says he is proud to have had the opportunity to contribute.  

“I'm very envious of all players who get to play in these amazing Rounds to celebrate First Nations culture.  

“Sir Doug Nicholls Round is a great way to showcase culture. I never got to play in one obviously, but I know it would have been special to represent your mob.  

“I will have a huge sense of pride to see the players run out in the guernsey. I’m extremely proud to know that I've contributed with my design. 

“It’s more than just a design; it connects me in spiritual sense to the club. The fact that I'm a past player, and I played out here on Alberton Oval, I have a strong connection to this football club. It makes it even more special”.  

Making up the club's traditional "V" is a line of teal dots, representing Yartapuulti's First Nations players, and white dots that represent all players past and present. Image: Matt Sampson.

Adding to the significance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round is the club’s Santos Aboriginal Power Cup, a program designed to reengage more than 700 First Nations students from metro, regional, and remote South Australia and the Northern Territory in their education, something Wanganeen was also involved with during his time at the Power.  

“I've always known from back when I was playing that the club have run powerful First Nations community programs, which I was a part of for quite a few years when I finished footy. 

“I went up to APY Lands with the club and shared healthy lifestyle messages to students and supported young First Nations kids who are finding their way in life, giving them some tools to navigate through life in a more positive way. It's so important what the club’s community team does in that space”.  

To mark the successful completion of the program, all the students will meet at Alberton Oval to take part in a two-day carnival before delivering a special on-field cultural performance on Adelaide Oval ahead of the club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash against Geelong. 

Yartapuulti's AFL side will wear Wanganeen's First Nations guernsey design for the club's Sir Doug Nicholls Round clashes with Geelong and Fremantle. Image: Matt Sampson.

For the third consecutive year, the club is also proud to confirm it will be known as the Yartapuulti Football Club again in 2025 for all games played during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, AFLW Indigenous Round and the SANFL First Nations Round.  

Replica home and away (black) guernseys in adult, youth and long sleeve sizes are now available at the Port Store at Alberton Oval, online, and at Adelaide Oval, along with unisex hoodies and tees, and a range of accessories including merino wool scarves, can coolers, coffee mugs and flags. 

Click here to purchase a replica First Nations guernsey online.

Player-worn guernseys will be auctioned off at the conclusion of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with proceeds going back into Power Community Limited’s Aboriginal programs.