KEVIN Kropinyeri is a proud Ngarrindjeri artist, comedian and sculptor who is the talent behind this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey.
For many keen Dees fans, the Kropinyeri name would be a familiar one and that’s because Kevin also happens to be the father of much-loved Demon Kysaiah Kropinyeri Pickett.
It’s a special relationship that has led to the creation of this year’s powerful design, capturing Kevin and Kysaiah’s connection to their Ngarrindjeri culture, while also showcasing their love of the Melbourne Football Club.
“It's such an amazing, proud moment as a father, because Kozzy is so loved by his mob and Aboriginal people in general,” Kevin said.
“Then to go further, he is so loved by the Melbourne fan base, and it warms my heart to see that love around him.
“I think everybody is going to be proud of it.”
This isn’t the first time Dees fans have been given a look into the history of Kysaiah’s Ngarrindjeri family, having followed along two years ago when the club visited Kevin’s hometown of Raukkan.
When reflecting on the opportunity to share his family with the wider AFL world for a second time, Kevin poignantly emphasised the importance of his culture.
“Culture is like a seed that we grab and when our children are born, we push it right into their spirits. That's what blooms and makes us who we are today,” Kevin said.
Ngarrindjeri tradition is key to Kevin’s design, with the centre of the artwork displaying a shield.
The shield represents warriors and symbolises divine protection, faith and resilience.
“The shield is a symbolization of our traditional warriors, and our football players are our modern-day warriors on the field,” Kevin said.
“This shield represents all the past, present and future players – the warriors of the Melbourne Football Club.
“I wanted to bring the fans of the Melbourne Football Club and Aboriginal culture together with the symbolization of this shield.”
Upon the chevron and the back of the jumper is an intricate weaving artwork which has been inspired by the important tradition of the Ngarrindjeri People.
The process of weaving is a way to share knowledge and bring people together and has been passed down from ancestors, currently still continuing to connect people to this day.
“The element of the weaving design symbolises the love of the Melbourne Football Club,” Kevin said.
“Every patron, staff, player, sponsor and fan are interconnected and intricately woven together through their love of the club.
“This is what has made this club strong for over 160 years. That is what the weaving design represents.”
The final key component of the design is the addition of Ngarrindjeri words underneath the chevron.
These words read:
“NAM Mi:WI WINNAMUN KATJIL PROLIN AMBI NGAMAR THAMELIN AMBI” meaning “ALL HEARTS BEAT TRUE FOR THE RED AND THE BLUE”
While the Ngarrindjeri People don't have a word for ‘every’, they do have a word for ‘all’, with Kevin capturing the core of the Melbourne Football Club while honouring his Peoples’ language.
The back of the guernsey features the names of all of the club’s Indigenous players, both past and present, acknowledging the important impact they’ve had on the club and its people.
The jumper will make its debut at the Gabba in the club’s first game of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, when the Dees face the Lions on Sunday 18 May.
The players will wear the guernsey on two occasions throughout the round, the second when they host Sydney at the MCG on Sunday 25 May.
For the duration of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Melbourne will rebrand to Narrm Football Club, the fourth consecutive season the club has recognised the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language.
This year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round guernsey is now available on the Demon Shop, thanks to the club’s official apparel partner, New Balance.
Supporters will have the option of purchasing the jumper in both the home and away strip.
For more information on Kevin’s work, visit his Instagram and Facebook.
