Richmond and Essendon will face off at Punt Road Oval this Saturday in a VFL game prior to the AFL’s Dreamtime at the ‘G clash.
As part of Indigenous Round this weekend, the VFL Tigers and Bombers will play off for the Sir Doug Nicholls Cup, named in honour of the former Fitzroy and Northcote Footballer who was a pioneer in campaigning for indigenous rights in the mid-19th century.
Sir Doug Nicholls fought hard to bring about understanding and equality for indigenous Australians as the only Australian Rules footballer to have ever been knighted (in 1972) or become a state governor (of South Australia from 1976-77).
The Sir Doug Nicholls Award will also be presented to the player judged best-on-ground. The Award will be presented by Sir Doug’s daughter, Pam Nicholls.
A public exhibition on Nicholls has been on display at the Korin Gamadji Institute, the Richmond Football Club’s centre for indigenous youth, at Punt Road Oval throughout this week.
Richmond’s VFL Football Operations Manager Daniel Hull said the club was proud to be hosting the VFL Dreamtime match, praising the joint-efforts of the Essendon Football Club and AFL Victoria in making the game an important event on the VFL calendar.
“This game being tied in with the AFL's Indigenous Round is a great way to celebrate all the great aboriginal footballers that have played and contributed to our game,” Hull said.
“Hopefully we get a great turnout of Richmond and Essendon supporters who can come watch their VFL sides play before Dreamtime at the 'G.”
The VFL Dreamtime match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 from midday, with the game itself starting at 12.12pm.
Last Modified on 29/05/2015 13:10
