Richmond has launched its 2026 Dreamtime guernsey, which has been proudly designed by Tiger legend Michael Mitchell alongside his daughters, Meghan and Sam.
Mitchell played 81 games and kicked 103 goals for the Tigers from 1987-1991 and was one of the competition’s most exciting players during that time.
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The guernsey tells the story of Mitchell’s family and his ‘extended family’ being the Claremont and Richmond Football Clubs. The story and colours also tie back to Mitchell’s homes of Carnarvon, Shark Bay and Western Australia.
The three circles on the guernsey represent the Club’s Mitchell had a significant impact at - Warriors FC, Claremont, and Richmond. Two circles can be found on the front sash, with the other on the back sash.
The red-tailed cockatoo, which is represented on the back of the guernsey, is of great significance to the Mitchell family. The cockatoo represents Mitchell's parents, symbolising their love, guidance and protection.
The dugong and turtle on the front sash represent Mitchell’s home, Shark Bay, which is roughly 800km north of Perth. The marine life of dugongs and turtles are prominent features of Shark Bay and as such, are showcased on the guernsey.
The deep colours on the guernsey are also strongly linked to Western Australia, Carnarvon, and Mitchell’s playing days.
The reds and blues highlight the desert and the ocean that surrounds the Carnarvon area, and the gold yellow represents the shade that was worn during Mitchell’s time at Richmond.
Mitchell’s x-factor and capacity to generate sheer excitement was off the charts during the 1990 season, when the silky-skilled, speedy, small forward won both Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year.
Mitchell, renowned for his high-flying exploits, despite being just 173cm tall and weighing only 66kg, took Mark of the Year in the Tigers’ 79-point Round 5 victory over Fitzroy on Anzac Day at the MCG.
He propelled himself skywards, balanced on the shoulders of Lions defender Brett Stephens, before juggling the ball in one hand and then completing the mark as he fell to the ground.
In Richmond’s final home-and-away round match of 1990 against Sydney at the SCG, Mitchell clinched the Goal of the Year.
After gathering the ball deep in defence, Mitchell decided to take the game on in typically bold, dashing style.
He took a bounce, then another, followed by five more (a grand total of seven), before calmly slotting it through for a breathtaking goal.
In honouring the tradition of Dreamtime at the ‘G, Richmond continues to reserve wearing the specially designed guernsey for the first time 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 22.
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.
