Geelong will celebrate their annual Djilang Game when they host the GWS Giants at GMHBA Stadium on Friday night at 7.50pm.

Presented by Barwon Water, the Djilang Game recognises the impact of our nation’s first peoples on the great game of Australian Rules Football. Djilang is the Wadawurrung word for Geelong. 

Match day highlights will include a pre-game gift exchange between the two teams.  The Cats will present a piece of Wathaurong Glass in the shape of a boomerang commemorating the match.

The Geelong Cats have led an Aboriginal cultural connection program for more than 10 years. Originally called the Close the Gap program, it is now known as the Djilang Program, proudly supported by Barwon Water. The Djilang Program culminates in a celebration at our Djilang Match.

Working with local organisations Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative, the Homework Club, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Strong Brother Strong Sister and Kupang Al (meaning ‘friend’ in Peekwoorroong language), the 2021 program rolled out around NAIDOC Week.

Children and young people were encouraged to tell their story through art, creating handprint designs that would be proudly featured at the Djilang Match in Round 21 of the AFL season. Hands are significant for many reasons: they hold the things important to us, hug those we love, provide healing, celebrate each other through high-fives, and provide help to those around us.

Bengadak Djilang

  • 01:13

    Player Cam | Favourite First Nations footballer

    We asked the boys who their favourite First Nations footballer was.

    AFL
  • 03:27

    Albert "Pompey" Austin

    Peek Whuurong Elder Uncle Rob Lowe from the Maar Nation presented the Geelong Football Club with a message stick in honour of 150 years since Albert Pompey Austin played for the Geelong Football Club.

    AFL
  • 01:36

    Building Cultural Connections in our Community

    The story behind the hand prints and what they represent during Djilang Round this year. Presented by Barwon Water.

    AFL
  • 01:59

    Healing Through Our Hands

    We visited Strong Brother Strong Sister where Manager/Mentor Ruby Evans was leading a workshop centred around handprint art, created by children and young people to share their stories. Presented by Barwon Water.

    AFL
  • 00:29

    Uncle Bryon Powell - Water and Country

    Barwon Water is proud to partner with our traditional owners to include Aboriginal values and knowledge into water planning.

    AFL
  • 01:00

    Djilang Creating Connections

    For the past 10 years, the Cats have been connecting with local community and delivering an Aboriginal cultural connection program. Originally called the Close the Gap Program, it is now known as the Djilang Program. Presented by Barwon Water.

    AFL
  • 03:02

    Our Indigenous Guernsey Explained

    Hear the story of our guernsey from the woman who painted it, Corrina Eccles.

    AFL
  • 03:05

    Cats Launch Indigenous Guernsey

    Watch designer Corrina Eccles and Stephanie Williams discuss the story behind our 2021 Indigenous Guernsey.

    AFLW
  • 08:27

    Who We Are

    Dangerfield set out to educate himself on who our five Indigenous players are. Presented by Barwon Water.

    AFL
  • 01:03

    Bengadak Djilang

    As we head into Sir Doug Nicholls round we take a look back at some highlights from our Djilang program and Next Generation Academy program. Presented by Barwon Water.

    AFL
  • 02:30

    Narkle Explains Welcome To Country

    Quinton Narkle explains the Welcome To Country ceremony for the Cats in Perth. Proudly presented by Barwon Water.

    AFL
  • 03:29

    Reconciliation week: Stokes' Story

    In part two of Corrina and Stokey's chat, we hear about what it means to be an Indigenous AFL footballer and a role model in the community. Proudly presented by Barwon Water.

    AFL
  • 02:31

    Giving Back: Djilang

    Thanks to Ford Australia, Nakia Cockatoo, Brandan Parfitt and Jamaine Jones deliver tickets for the clash against the Blues to Djilang participants at The Fort.

    AFL
  • 01:09

    Djilang program

    The Djilang Program saw over 30 young Indigenous participants aged 5 to 17 years explore and celebrate cultural connection through art.

    AFL

This year’s project also recognises National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, which is annually acknowledged on August 4. This year’s theme ‘Proud in Culture, Strong in Spirit’ was reflected in the handprint art created by the children and young people.

Before the latest lockdown, Cats players were able to go out into the community to assist on the Djilang program rollout days.

Cats player Nathan Kreuger said the Djilang program was a wonderful celebration of culture and community.

“I think it’s amazing for us as players, and as a community, for all kids to come out and feel comfortable enough to come and spread the message,” he said.

“It’s not just us spreading it, it’s the younger generation beneath us as well.”

Barwon Water Managing Director Tracey Slatter said: "At Barwon Water, we're incredibly proud to sponsor this program and sponsor the Djilang Round, partnering with the Geelong Cats.

"We both share such common objectives in helping to work with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in this region, building those connections and contributing to the great region that we have here."

The Cats will again wear their Indigenous guernsey, designed by Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles, in their Round 21 game against the Giants. The guernsey is titled Kardiniyoo and features the sunrise and two teams coming together to play Marngrook and other meaningful landmarks across our country.