MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos says the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round is an important and “exciting” week in the AFL calendar.

Speaking on Roos’ Views ahead of Melbourne’s game against Port Adelaide in Alice Springs, Roos said the week was an important learning opportunity for players, coaches and the wider football community.

“It’s great and it’s always exciting to hear the stories,” Roos told Melbourne TV.

“Nev Jetta got out the front and spoke about his history and to see the video of Sir Doug Nicholls was amazing too.”

“It’s a real learning week for everyone and I really enjoy it, because we should know more about our culture and where we come from.

“It’s quite surprising that you often only learn about them in these types of weeks.”

The AFL’s Indigenous Round has been named in honour of pioneering Indigenous figure Sir Doug Nicholls from this year onwards.

Nicholls played 54 games for Fitzroy and two for Victoria and after his retirement, served as both Governor of South Australia and Chairman of the National Aboriginal Sports Foundation.

Roos, who met Nicholls in his own playing days at Fitzroy, said he’d learned a significant amount more about his legacy in recent years.

“I knew the story and the fact that he played for Fitzroy and I do remember meeting him,” Roos said.

“I started at Fitzroy in 1981/82, so it would’ve been in my first or second year that I met him.

“I had no idea of the enormity of the story and the legacy that he’s left.

“I was saying to Jeffy [Garlett] that I did Australian history in year 12 and didn’t learn anything about what I’m now learning about at 52 [years old], so it’s quite sad and it’s something that we all need to address.

“His story is amazing and to watch that 15-minute video [produced by Peter Dickson] is just incredible.”

Meanwhile, Roos held high praise for the specially painted boots Melbourne players will wear against Port Adelaide this weekend.

Indigenous artists Carl Peterson and Nikita Rotuma painted all of the players boots over a three week period.

“I’ve seen the boots – they’re just amazing. It’s incredible,” Roos said.

“The guys are really excited and I spoke to Jonesy (Nathan Jones) about it and all of the players have got on board with it.

“So we’re learning about art, the extraordinary talent that they bring to all different aspects of society and it’s all part of the week, which is great.”

Roos said he’d had the pleasure of coaching some brilliant Indigenous players over the years but found it tough to pinpoint the best he’d seen.

“I was really fortunate to coach Mickey O’Loughlin and Adam [Goodes],” he said.

“I always find it hard [to choose], whether it’s Indigenous players or whether it’s players I’ve played with, who is the best player I’ve ever seen?

“You often go back to guys you’ve coached or played with because you’ve seen them prepare all of the time and you see them train all of the time. You interact with them on a more human [level], rather than a football relationship.

“So Mick and Adam are two outstanding people and two unbelievable players, so with all due respect to the other great [Indigenous players, it’s hard to choose].

“But the other one that takes my mind way back is Maurice Rioli. I was a Carlton supporter and [Richmond] played in a few grand finals against the Tigers and he stands out for me. As a kid growing up, watching those great games, he was unbelievable.

“Syd Jackson, who was a Carlton player, watching him run around and play [was great]. There is an enormous of talent [there], but they’re probably the four that jump out at me.”