The Demons will play in a specially-designed jumper for Indigenous Round and Wiradjuri elder, Aunty Dot Whyman, will conduct a welcome to country ceremony before the game.

The club played Turvey Park at Maher Oval on the corresponding weekend last year when the Bulldogs paid tribute to Indigenous footballers and this time around the Demons are leading the way.

“Collingullie over the years has had a lot of Indigenous players, most notably Claude Jackson, Chris Gordon, the Whymans, the Smiths,” former player and CGP committee member Michael Vincent said.

“So there’s a very rich history at the club. And having that recognition by the club is a gigantic step towards reconciliation and also shows that they do have strong ties to the Indigenous community.”

CGP have already worn the jumpers in round five, after deciding to make the Indigenous design their ‘clash strip’ for games against the Griffith Swans.

“Everyone’s had a really positive response to the jumpers and we’ve been lucky enough that we had a Wiradjuri person in Luke Penrith design the jumper,” Vincent said.

“He’s also designed the GWS Giants’ Indigenous jumper which will be worn in Adelaide on Saturday.

“Wagga does have a proud Indigenous population and that then crosses over into football, and the AFL having Indigenous round this week is something really positive.”

The Demons jumpers also incorporate their evolution, with the red CFC of the club’s original jumpers, while its previous name, Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka features on the back, similar to the way the Sydney Swans mark their South Melbourne link. 

CGP’s Nathan Fuller said it was important to recognise that successful period of the Demons.

“It’s a throwback to the whole history of the club,” Fuller said.

“We had a few old heads and a couple of young blokes all involved in the design and we’re pretty proud of it. They look absolutely fantastic.”