West Coast will honour the significant contribution our Aboriginal community has made to the AFL during the club’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round clash with St Kilda at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
The Eagles have planned a variety of events, activations and performances to celebrate one of the most popular days on the Australian sporting calendar.
Celebrations will kick off in the West Coast Eagles Fan Zone at 4.30pm where students from Wesley College will perform traditional dances to the tune of a digeridoo.
Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for our inspiring Waalitj (wedge-tailed eagle) puppet, who will be roaming the stadium precinct and finishing its journey in the BHP Amphitheatre at 5.30pm, just in time for a live musical performance by Bidyadanga artist John Bennett.
Saturday’s curtain raiser fixture will feature some of Western Australia’s brightest up-and-coming Indigenous talents.
The game will pit players from Yamatji country (Geraldton) against a squad of Noongar (South West) athletes, who will play for the Stephen Michael Cup.
Bouncedown for the curtain raiser match is 4pm.
Inspiring musical talents Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will kick off the in-stadium pre-game entertainment before West Coast Eagles premiership player David Wirrpanda releases Auzzie for her most important flight of the year.
West Coast Aboriginal Liaison Officer Phil Narkle and AFL legend Nicky Winmar will team up to conduct a Welcome to Country ceremony before West Coast runs out through a guard of honour formed by members of WA’s KickStart State Aboriginal squad.
Eagles and Saints’ Aboriginal players will toss the coin and exchange gifts before the first bounce.
Winmar will conduct an on-ground interview at quarter time, while Williams and Ghouse will command centre stage at half-time.
The main break will also feature a live painting exhibition and another dance performance by Guildford Grammar School's Boodjar Bidi Dance troupe.
