For the third consecutive year, the Richmond and Essendon Football Clubs have created War Cry performances for Saturday night’s Dreamtime at the ‘G blockbuster.
As the teams stand for the pre-game ceremony, Richmond’s War Cry will be performed by current participants and Alumni of the Club’s Korin Gamadji Institute and Next Generation Academy.
The dance has been created to have a special connection to the Club, with each line of performers and the painted markings on their bodies representing the different phases of the leadership journey.
The white markings represent a boy in training and our future leaders.
The yellow represents young men emerging as community leaders, and the five ‘song-men’ at the back represent resilience and respect.
The dance movements have a connection to this south-eastern part of Australia, and the animals that are significant to the region.
The dance is inspired by ‘Kooyang’ the eel, ‘Bunjil’ the Wedge-tailed Eagle and the ‘Lagunta’ – commonly known as the Tasmanian Tiger or Thylacine.
Fans are advised to be seated by 6:30pm to take in the spectacular cultural performances by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
The performances will feature the music of Spinifex Gum, the amazing young voices of Marliya of Gondwana Choirs, and internationally renowned Indigenous rapper, Briggs.
Choreographed by Deborah Brown (of Bangarra), in collaboration with The Wurundjeri Land Council and dancers, the magic of Dreamtime will come to life in a colourful display of music, dance and storytelling.
Key Timings:
4.00pm Richmond v Essendon VFLW curtain-raiser – Swinburne Centre, Punt Road Oval
6.20pm Sir Doug Nicholls Round ceremony commences
6.30pm Dreamtime at the ‘G cultural performance
7.03pm Nathan Lovett-Murray Marngrook ball presentation to umpires
7.04pm Essendon team enters
7.07pm Richmond team enters
7.18pm Teams and umpires to be in position for Dreamtime dance
7:23pm Ngarra Murray, Sir Doug Nicholls Great Granddaughter, coin toss
7.25pm First bounce
