Sir Doug Nicholls Round
Disconnected. Isolated. That’s how many of us felt during 2020 when Coronavirus reared its ugly head. The ironic symbolism of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round game ball design rings true to the footy community as we found a way to get footy back, our lives on track and started to rebuild the connections with friends and family this year.
When Yuin woman and artist Rheanna Lotter designed the Sir Doug Nicholls Round game ball back in 2019, there was no way she could foresee the extra significance her art would have two years later.
“This design shares the story of each team connecting with each other, their fans and their local community,” Lotter said.
“It shows the pathway from grassroots footy to the AFL so young boys and girls can follow their dream to becoming a professional AFL player. With the lines never breaking and all of us united together, the AFL community continues to stand by each other, take care of each other, and always help each other.
“Footy brings us all together. The great thing is that kids, teens and adults all around Australia that have an Indigenous Sherrin can feel connected, even when we were apart last year so it definitely has more significance this time around.”
Lotter grew up on Gundungurra land in the Southern Highlands in New South Wales, but after moving away from home she yearned for a way to reconnect with her culture and rediscover her identity.
That’s when she started painting.
“My mother taught me to paint so my passion and love for art definitely started there,” she said.
“As I got older I realised how disconnected I had become and felt like I lost my identity. Art brought me back to my true self and now I get to do what I love everyday with my business Ngandabaa.”
Despite her Sir Doug Nicholls Round Sherrin being on display in 2019, Lotter admits it’s still a little “weird” seeing her art being kicked around on the footy field.
“Of course I’m super proud of it and it’s an amazing opportunity,” Lotter said.
“But art is so personal, you put yourself out there for everyone to see and judge. It’s always a little bit worrying what people will think or say about it.
“So definitely mixed feelings but overall I’m extremely proud.”
Sir Doug Nicholls Round will be held over two rounds (11 and 12) this year, with two games to take place in the Northern Territory.
A mouth-watering top of the table clash between Melbourne and Brisbane is set for Friday June 4 at TIO Traeger Park, while the annual Dreamtime game between Essendon and Richmond returns to the MCG this year after being played in Darwin last year.
Photographer: Jason McCawley – Getty Images