Rhyan Mansell never dreamed he'd one day play AFL, let alone become the artist behind Richmond's 2025 Dreamtime guernsey.

But, when he, alongside his father Brett Mansell and grandfather Clyde Mansell, were told they'd be the family behind the design, it was a dream brought to life.

And it continued a long family love-affair with the Yellow and Black.

"We went up to the Tiwi Islands and I found out I'd be doing it (designing the guernsey) for 2025. Gave dad and pop a call straight away," Mansell told Richmond Media.

"Pop was pretty pumped, he's been a lifelong Richmond supporter. It's very special for him and the family and something that no one will ever be able to take away from us."

It was then that planning and designing the guernsey begun, with the trio heading down to their homeland, Launceston, to draw inspiration from family, community and roots.

"We got together, flew down to Launceston for the day. Dad, myself, pop, brainstormed some ideas of what the guernsey would look like, the meaning behind it, what story we wanted to tell on it," Mansell said.

So, in Rocherlea, Tasmania, Richmond's 2025 Dreamtime guernsey was born.

The three generations of Mansell men brought to life the story of their family and their roots, highlighting their proud history as pakana people of north-eastern lutruwita (Tasmania).

On the back of the jumper is two handprints, which represent the Richmond players having each other’s backs, on and off the field.

"One thought was, one of the most common artworks in Tasmania is the hand stencil. That was done by red ochre and kangaroo blood being mixed together and they spat onto the rock. It left a handprint," Clyde said.

"During the pre-season we talked about, if we hit each other on the back with red ochre, it means you've got each other's back," Mansell added.

When the guernsey was finalised, it left the trio in awe of what was brought to life.

"It was a really special day, not only having Rhyan and dad involved in it, but just for our whole family. Having an opportunity to represent our community. It was pretty fitting, to be honest," Brett said.

"It's hard to comprehend the influence and impact it's going to have on our community, a lot of young Aboriginal sports people that are going to go, 'that jumper represents me'."

Mansell was even more honoured to be able to model the jumper with Tigers captain Toby Nankervis and fellow small forward Maurice Rioli in his hometown.

"Once I saw it on the jumper, I was pretty gobsmacked, I didn't have much to say, really. I'm just super proud and I can't wait to wear it," he said.

"I designed this guernsey, I already want to be a role model to young Tasmanian footballers aspiring to get to the top level, let alone Aboriginal kids that want to get into the system.

"I hope they can look up to it and be proud. I know if I was younger and watching footy growing up and a Tasmanian created a guernsey like this, I'd definitely jump on board and look up to them.

"Before the game when I put that guernsey on, it's probably going to be the most special feeling I've felt since playing AFL. I've got a great bunch of blokes to do it with."

And his own grandfather knows exactly what the guernsey means for Mansell's link to his heritage in Tasmania, despite now making his life in Melbourne.

"It's that pride thing, coming out in his identity so much, that's so important. Even though he might be across the water, it doesn't take away that connection," Clyde said.

"It's a completion to a whole story of a community and family."

In honouring the tradition of Dreamtime at the ‘G, Richmond continues to reserve wearing the specially designed guernsey exclusively for the Dreamtime game. In 2011, Richmond became the first club in the AFL to have a specially designed guernsey for the competition’s showpiece game. Click here to read more on the history of the Dreamtime guernsey.

This year’s ‘Dreamtime at the G’ clash against Essendon is scheduled for Round 11, on Friday, May 23 – the first Dreamtime game to be played on the Friday night stage.

Richmond’s AFLW team will also wear the guernsey, with further details to be announced soon.

Proceeds from Dreamtime merchandise will help support Indigenous youth through the Korin Gamadji Program.