NSW Treasury RAP Committee hosts Marngrook

While Marngrook has been fiercely debated by many academics, many Aboriginal people have long considered it to be one of the inspirations behind the current game Australian Rules Football (AFL). It is a point of unwavering pride among Indigenous players in Australia Football league and Indigenous communities as a whole; many prominent Aboriginal personalities are recognising and vocalising their ancestors contribution to Australia’s favourite game.

NAIDOC Week 2025, themed “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, marks 50 years of celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. It honours the enduring strength of First Nations peoples and looks forward to a future led by empowered young leaders.

Sir Doug Nicholls Round 2025, with the theme “Past Legacies, Future Legends”, commemorates significant milestones in AFL history, including the 10th year of the round itself, the 20th anniversary of the Indigenous Team of the Century, and the 30th year since the introduction of AFL’s anti-vilification rule.

This round celebrates the profound impact of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on Australian football.

Together, these events highlight the rich heritage and ongoing contributions of First Nations communities to Australian culture and sport.

SPECTATORS WELCOME Registrations for players were by sign-up, and all places have now been allocated. Royal Botanic Gardens, The Domain (Field 4) 1pm: Welcome to County with didgeridoo by Uncle Brendan Kieran 1:30pm: Warm up doing Aboriginal dance moves 1:45pm: Team up 2:00 - 3:00pm: Game on! 3:00 a 3:30/4:00pm: Presentation of Medals 4:00pm: Strict close