The VFLW Tigers will get the ball rolling in the inaugural VFLW Dreamtime curtain raiser on Saturday afternoon at the Swinburne Centre.
Sporting the 2018 Richmond Dreamtime guernsey, designed by artist Robert Young, the Tigers will contest Essendon at 4pm.
Indigenous player Natarsha Bamblett was Richmond’s first VFLW signing. She has been involved in the club’s centre for Indigenous youth, the Korin Gamadji Institute, since 2012.
Bamblett said the VFLW Tigers are honoured to be sharing the momentous occasion with the rest of the club.
“I think it’s pretty special that us girls get to wear the Dreamtime guernsey and be able to have that connection to culture,” Bamblett said.
A Welcome to Country ceremony and War Cry will be held prior to the first bounce. Bamblett has played a pivotal role in helping the Boorimul girls coordinate their War Cry performance. She said the War Cry encompasses three significant traits; survival, connection and strength.
“The War Cry is basically having Indigenous women showcase the strength and resilience and the warrior within us, within a dance. Being able to create that, and having that a part of the game, recognises women as a part of football,” Bamblett said.
Bamblett sees the Indigenous Round as a prospect for empowerment. She hopes the initiative will inspire more Indigenous females to participate in football.
“This hopefully is a platform, or the next step into the right direction, showcasing Indigenous culture within the game of football and hopefully motivating and inspiring others to take on the dream and pick up a football,” she said.
With the blockbuster Richmond v Essendon ‘Dreamtime at the 'G’ match to follow, fans are encouraged to head down to Punt Road Oval beforehand to catch the girls in action.
“Hopefully, being so close to the MCG, we can get all the community and the mob and family support coming through to support the VFLW. Jump on board,” Bamblett said.
Richmond will have two debutants on the night with former AFLW All-Australian ruck, Emma King coming in to the team alongside Shepparton teenager, Grace Egan who will be the Tigers’ 23rd player.
For those who cannot make it to Tigerland, tune into RSN Carnival’s live radio call of the match. Richmond supporters can also follow play-by-play updates on the Richmond Women’s Twitter account.
B 84. L Bieniara 77. J Hocking 69. E Burry
HB 73. L Davie 63. J Graham 70. E Findlay
C 75. B Lynch 76. E Ross 55. C Wakefield
HF 53. K Dixon 64. E Gunn 57. E King
F 66. A Barden 79. L Tesorierio 61. J Colwell
R 88. P Monahan 83. J Gardner 51. J Kennedy
Int 82. G Bibby 71. L Stephenson 59. A Woodward 68. A Edmonds
Emg 80. J Louttit 86. N Clarke 62. T Muller 58. C Musico
23P 89. G Egan
