Source : ABC NEWS
The Geelong Cats will don a guernsey with northern West Australian flair when they run out for the AFL’s annual Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
The design on Geelong’s Indigenous guernsey was a collaboration with the team’s mature-age recruit Lawson Humphries and his family, who originate in the Pilbara, 3,000 kilometres from Geelong’s home ground.
Humphries’ younger sister and Worrora, Oomiday and Nyul Nyul artist, Meeza Humphries, said taking the lead on the design was a dream come true.
“We’d always been involved in footy, so it was always a dream,” she said.
“I’ve always loved the Indigenous round, and I really wanted to represent my mob and tell a story.“
The design incorporates well-known elements of the Geelong jumper and cultural images from the Humphries’ country.
Each of the hoops on the Geelong guernsey were designed by one of the Humphries siblings. (Supplied: Meeza Humphries)
Family affair
Humphries and his three siblings turned Geelong’s navy-blue hoops into an aspect of their traditional environment.
Meeza said it was incredible not only to work with Lawson, but also with older siblings Stephanie and Joshua.
“It’s really special because [they’re] much older, so they have a bit more knowledge than me and Lawson,” she said.
“It’s helpful that not only can we express how we know stories, but we can also hear them, and we’ve actually learned more stories through this process.“
Ross Humphries, Lawson and Meeza’s father, said he was proud to see the siblings collaborating.
“Everybody played their little part … it was a lot of work, and to do it as a family is a really great experience,” he said.
Ross said feedback on the jumper had been “pretty positive” so far, and he hoped to see the design make it to the North West.
“I hope I see kids across the Pilbara and Kimberley running around in the jumper,” he said.
Meeza said colour choices were designed to reflect their vibrant upbringing — from bright turquoise waters to vivid red dirt.
The guernsey also features the Oongood — a snake representing Humphries’ journey to the AFL from WA’s north.
Meeza said the guernsey had already made an impact.
“I have a friend from Broome that lives in Geelong now — she contacted me and said, ‘Thanks for making Geelong a bit more like home’,” she said.
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Meeza will travel to the ground in Adelaide to explain the significance of the guernsey to the playing squad, and then watch her handiwork on the field when Geelong take on Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide) in the AFL tonight.
“It’s pretty surreal,” she said.
“It’s a bit crazy when you think about it, but I’m very proud of everyone involved.”
From the Kimberley to Kardinia Park
Humphries, now in his second year in the AFL, has had a humble beginning to his AFL career.
The defender was the second last pick in the 2023 National Draft — somewhat a surprise pick that came less than two months after playing in the WAFL Reserves grand final.
Humphries debuted for the Cats in round 16 the following year, wearing another one-off guernsey.
That jumper featured his junior club logo — the Wickham Wolves from WA’s Pilbara — for Geelong’s annual country round.
If selected, Humphries will run out this weekend for his 20th game for the club — which includes playing in two matches in the 2024 finals series.
“Lawson was out last week with concussion, but he’ll be back this week,” his father Ross said.
“So it’s fantastic because he gets to wear the jumper that he helped create.”
Meeza says she “couldn’t be prouder” of her big brother. (Supplied: Meeza Humphries)
Meeza said it was incredible seeing her big brother play on the big stage.
“It’s pretty crazy to me — he’s just my brother,” she said.
“I know he’s getting famous now, but he’s still the same old Lawson Humphries to me.”
But she said she could not be any prouder.
“I always believed he’d make it to the AFL,” Meeza said.
“I’m so proud of how he’s taken it on — he was drafted as a mature-ager, but that didn’t stop him, he’s put in all the work and definitely deserves to be there.”
