The annual Dreamtime at the ‘G match “transcends the game itself”, according to Richmond CEO Brendon Gale.
The Tigers and Bombers will play in the 11th Dreamtime game this weekend, in front of an expected bumper crowd of more than 80,000.
“The game, and what it means, promoting reconciliation and the contribution of Indigenous Australians to football, is huge, and it brings all tribes together – all clubs. It’s a huge event,” Gale told SEN.
“The game draws big crowds, because of what it stands for, and what it means.
“The four points are very important this weekend, particularly with both teams fighting for a position in the eight, but it (Indigenous Round) transcends the game itself.”
The match will feature a pre-game ceremony, including live performances from Troy Cassar-Daley and Paul Kelly.
For the fifth year running, Richmond will wear a specially-designed Dreamtime guernsey.
This year’s jumper was designed by Derek Summerfield, a 14-year-old from the Northern Territory, who is the cousin of Tiger midfielder Shane Edwards.
Richmond’s VFL team will wear the same guernsey for their annual Dreamtime curtain-raiser against Essendon, at the ME Centre this Saturday.
The Club will also welcome back Derek Peardon, Richmond’s first Indigenous player, as its Homecoming Hero before the match.
It will be the first time Peardon has returned to Melbourne since playing for the Tigers in the early 1970s.
“It’s an incredible tale. He was a member of the stolen generation, which was a sad chapter of our history,” Gale said.
“He was a very, very talented schoolboy athlete and footballer, he came to the Tigers in the late 60s and early 70s.
“He left in about ’72, and has never come back. We’ve been trying for a couple of years to see if he’d be interested in coming back to Melbourne and being part of a Dreamtime game.
“We’ve been able to convince him to come over. He’s genuinely excited. It’s such an important part of our history.
“It’ll be fantastic to welcome him back to the MCG, and I’m sure he’ll be welcomed accordingly.”
