Brandan Parfitt and his family look forward to Sir Doug Nicholls Round every year.

A celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and their contribution to Australian Football, Parfitt joined Cameron Ling and Scott Gullan on our official podcast this week to discuss what Sir Doug Nicholls Round means to him.

“Indigenous Round is always fantastic to be a part of,” Parfitt said.

“My family love it and I love being a part of it and getting to run around in that guernsey. So, I just want to put my best foot forward this weekend and wear the jumper with pride.”

Parfitt and his teammates will be wearing an Indigenous guernsey designed by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, Corrina Eccles. 

“It is based around the whole Geelong community and where it was years ago with the landscape, she represents her family as well and the whole Geelong region, and it turned out really well.

“Her name's Corinna and she has done fantastic job.”

Parfitt grew up in Northern Territory and is really proud of his heritage.

“Most of my family is from up in Darwin, the Top End and that’s the Larrakia tribe and the Warumungu, which is a little bit south from Darwin.”

“That’s my heritage and I am really proud to represent all my family back there.”

One of three Indigenous players on Geelong’s AFL list, Parfitt has developed into a leader at the club, taking over from the likes of Steven Motlop and Tim Kelly in the past.

“I would like to think that I have grown up a lot and become more of a leader,” he said.

“I am probably one of the most experienced Indigenous boys at the club now. There’s me, Quinton (Narkle) and Kreugs (Nathan Kreuger) and we are all a similar age, and we help each other a lot.

“When I got here got here Steven Motlop was the most experienced guy and Tim Kelly came along and Nakia (Cockatoo) as well, so I am probably at that position now to take the lead.”

Geelong’s Round 11 Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash with Collingwood at the MCG on Saturday afternoon will commence at 1.45pm.