The Gold Coast SUNS’ seven Indigenous players come from all different walks of life, but share an unbreakable bond formed through their ancestral roots.
Four of the club’s Indigenous players in Jarrod Harbrow, Steven May, Brandon Matera and Sean Lemmens will run out onto Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon in what will be an emotional moment for the players.
‘Proud.’ was the simple tweet Harley Bennell sent out to members and fans on Monday when he officially launched the GC SUNS’ locally-designed Indigenous Round guernsey. While the Western Australian product won’t be lining up alongside his senior teammates this Sunday afternoon, the celebrations won’t mean any less to the Pinjarra junior.
As summarised best by mentor and good friend Harbrow, this weekend’s clash signals more than just four premiership points up for grabs.
“I’m extremely proud to be wearing the Indigenous design this week,” Harbrow told SUNS TV.
“I think it has come a long way to initially Richmond and Essendon’s design a few years ago to now every club getting one done.
“It’s going to be a special moment for the boys to run out and play and obviously representing our family and friends and the footy club, so we’re looking forward to it.”
While a young Matera grew up watching family heroes - father Wally and uncles Peter and Phil - perform on the national stage on television and in person, Harbrow idolised from afar Essendon and Port Adelaide great Gavin Wanganeen, modelling his game on the 1993 Brownlow medallist.
“My Indigenous football hero would be Gavin Wanganeen; just like how he attacked the contest and threw his body against those bigger opposition, and obviously playing in the backline a bit was that spare player to roll back and jump in front of those big full forwards and was just so creative,” Harbrow said.
“Obviously I’ve tried to model my game around him, bit unsuccessfully, but I’m still working towards it.”
Celebrating the 1993 premiership alongside Wanganeen was fellow Bomber legend Michael Long, who continues to make an active impact in conjunction with the AFL in the space of Indigenous mentorship and career pathways.
On Saturday night, the Northern Territory football hero will spearhead the Dreamtime at the G’ pre-game celebrations for the tenth consecutive season.
Gold Coast defender Steven May, who grew up in Darwin’s inner suburbs, was just one of thousands of budding footballers that followed Long’s prolific AFL career, an eleven-year, 190-game journey which opened the door for many young Indigenous kids to aspire towards.
“He has certainly opened a lot of doors for Indigenous boys to get drafted,” May said.
“I’m really excited to be wearing my Indigenous jumper… to represent not just my family name but Indigenous people all around Australia and to get some recognition I think is a great initiative from the AFL.”
