As Richmond prepares to face Essendon this Friday Night in the 21st edition of Dreamtime at the 'G, the Club's Indigenous Cultural Capability Manager, Luke Murray, spoke to Talking Tigers about the game's significance and impact on the community.
“The one thing that still amazes me, even in my 16th season, is how far people come for this game,” Murray said.
“Coming into our 21st year of Dreamtime at the 'G, it is just amazing to see how far it has come.
“It is great that we have this platform to showcase our culture and issues, and it’s just an amazing time for the club.”
Murray acknowledged that the game serves as a time for people to come together and to celebrate First Nations culture.
“A lot of people come, and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with some of my family members whom I haven’t seen in a little while,” Murray said.
“I still go back to why the game started, around recognising the contribution that we have made to the game, but also what the game has contributed to Aboriginal people.”
The inaugural Dreamtime at the ‘G took place in 2005 and Richmond has gone on to claim 12 wins to Essendon’s eight, and the Tigers will be on the hunt for another victory this Friday night.
The iconic game draws one of the highest home-and-away crowds of the year and pays homage to the huge contribution made by First Nations peoples to the game.
Murray spoke on the significance of the traditional ceremonial dance held before the game and how it is encouraging to see more players get involved over the years.
“We spoke about how we would love to get the players involved in the pre-match ceremony,” Murray said.
“I think it might have been 2019 when a young Sydney Stack stepped up.
“Sydney had a crack and showed his leadership attributes, and I think some of the boys might have thought, ‘well, this young fella had a crack and went out by himself'.
“This year we have our Laguntas dancers, so it is a mix between our participants from our program and from our Next Generation Academy.
“And we are very lucky to have two proud palawa men coming across from Launceston, it's well-known now that there is a strong theme on Tasmania this year, with Rhyan (Mansell) developing the jumper.
“I think the whole state is very proud with what has been going on.”
This year’s Dreamtime guernsey was designed by Mansell, his father Brett and his grandfather Clyde.
“The rewarding thing for me is seeing it filter down to local and grassroots footy,” Murray said.
“I think Rhyan and his (family) have absolutely nailed it this year. It’s an absolutely beautiful guernsey.”
Proceeds from all Dreamtime merchandise will go toward supporting the Indigenous youth through the Korin Gamadji Program.
