A few weeks back, I published this post with a rundown of the club’s ANZAC Day jerseys.
With this week being the NRL’s Indigenous Round celebrations, it’s time for a sequel.
Unlike the military-industrial complex cosplay of ANZAC Round, the NRL’s embrace of the Indigenous Australian culture through the storytelling of the jersey designs is a good thing, even though it does still form the basis of yet another merchandising opportunity. As long as the original artists are getting paid, I think these jerseys and the use of them by the league to highlight Indigenous culture and causes is something reasonably worthwhile.
That some clubs (including Melbourne) have also partnered with the ‘Deadly Choices’ Indigenous health program is another benefit of rugby league’s embrace of the culture and community.
My only requests when it comes to Indigenous jersey designs is to utilise the colour palette of the club (four colours is surely enough), and that the designs should be released as postcard and A5 sized art cards without the imposition of advertising logos. Allowing the artists sell prints would also be a nice way of helping the Indigenous arts community.
2012
Melbourne first wore an alternate Indigenous jersey design during the 2012 season in round 22 against Penrith at AAMI Park, in what was then called the NRL’s “Close the Gap Round.” The jersey was mostly orange, a colour never worn previously by the club, and featured the Storm’s RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) logo which was designed by Lenny Briggs and Dixon Patten. From the marketing materials:
The circular logo in the middle represents Melbourne Storm Rugby League Club, with outer circles symbolising the broader Indigenous communities Melbourne Storm reaches through its various programs. The white lines represent each individual’s pathway, while the four colours represent the four seasons, diversity and change. The Yarra River flows past AAMI Park, home of Storm, and the local ‘Birrarung’ has been a meeting point and lifeline for local Aboriginal people for a millennia. Water represents life and as it flows through the Melbourne Storm community it becomes much larger, which portrays the quality of life improving.
2014
After not wearing an Indigenous Round jersey in 2013, Melbourne wore an updated version of the 2012 design for another home match, this time in round 23 against Cronulla. The main difference was the change from navy blue shoulders and side panels to purple.
2015
A third version of the 2012 design was released in 2015, with this jersey featuring a new purple based design on the back of the jersey. The Indigenous Round was worn in round 22 against the Gold Coast Titans at AAMI Park with:
the NRL promoting its partnership with RECOGNISE, the people’s movement to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution and ensure there’s no place in it for racial discrimination.
2016
Redesigned in 2016 by Lenny Briggs and Dixon Patten, the 2016 jersey is similar again to the 2015 jersey, with the club wearing the design against the Cowboys at Suncorp Stadium in round 10.
2017
New apparel supplier ISC went back to a similar design to the original 2012 orange jerseys for the round 10 match against the Titans at Suncorp Stadium in that (in)famous game. In the NRL’s marketing materials, only Dixon Patten received the credit for this design.
2018
Ditching the orange base, for another clash with the Titans at Suncorp Stadium in round 10, the club seemed to acknowledge why the previous versions weren’t a fan favourite:
This year's Indigenous jersey showcases purple as the primary colour whilst remaining true to the original artwork of previous years.
2019
Another redesign for 2019, with Lenny Briggs and Patten Dixon returning with their artwork originally commissioned in 2012 featuring again. With the reduced size of the main advertiser’s logo, this was probably the best version of this design.
2020
A new design for 2020, with young Victorian artist Ky-ya Nicholson Ward collaborating with Josh Addo-Carr on the design. With Nicholson Ward explaining the design:
Around Australia there are different styles of art, we are diverse. There is cross hatching and dot art and many more unique styles. My mobs in Victoria don’t do them, we are a carving culture. We have circles, diamonds and lines. That is mainly because of our environment and my peoples story
The emu footprints are powerful and symbolic; they represent moving forward, because the emu can’t step backwards. (The footprints) represent a journey and all the Indigenous players unique paths in life. The white circles in the middle of the jersey represent AAMI Park and the crowd and supporters of the Storm coming together to watch games. The boomerang is symbolic of the players strength and power, knowing your goal and aiming for it and trying to reach it.
The back of the jersey also featuring the names of Indigenous Australians who have played for the Storm, with the player issue jerseys adding the “Our Home, Victoria” embroidery at the base of the jersey.
Melbourne would play against the Newcastle Knights in Indigenous Round, played at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
2021
For the first time the Storm’s Indigenous Round jersey was based off a white jersey design, with designer Krstel Petrevski (then playing for Melbourne in the AFLW competition) describing the design:
The art on the front panel is in the shape of the state of Victoria (turned sideways). Circles represent the QLD bubble from the 2020 season and AAMI Park and the people that play their part – players, staff, family and members. This all represents the journey home. The circles are joined by lines which represent the many cultures that link together in making up the Melbourne Storm. A curved purple line represents the Yarra River and how it runs through the city of Melbourne. Footprints represent the journey a player takes from joining the club to leaving as a better person. The handprint represents the 5 values of the club: family, accountability, hard work, respect and passion. Melbourne Storm past and present Indigenous players are listed on the lower back. Pattern on the lower right back panel represents all the other cultures to have represented the Storm to show inclusivity.
The jersey was worn twice, firstly against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in round 12, and again versus the Knights at CBus Super Stadium in round 18. The second game causing confusion as the Knights forgot to bring the correct jerseys during the Queensland Bubble.
2022
A bold design which certainly polarised fans, the 2022 Indigenous Round jersey was designed by Coree Thorpe who took inspiration from the Rainbow Serpent:
The lines on the jersey, coloured yellow and orange, represent Storm’s active years in the NRL with the orange lines symbolising years where the club has won a Grand Final, while the purple lines represent the ribs - the people and the players of the organisation.
Like the snake, each year changes. It’s the shedding of people, players but the journey continues. It’s stronger, it learns, it heals and changes
Worn in round 12 against Manly at AAMI Park, the jersey was possibly a little too busy when seen in action, especially on television.
2023
Designed by Shanai Kellet, great granddaughter of Sir Douglas Nicholls, the 2023 design uses the white base of the current clash jersey and is called Resilience:
Which captures 25 years of the clubs history, it’s continuous support towards Indigenous players, their culture, the Indigenous round, multi-cultures and Australian players.
Key parts of the artwork, The large meeting place at the top of ‘Resilience’ emphasises the watchtower, followed by the U shapes with two lines acknowledging the captains and coaches, followed by the remaining u symbols representing the significant role models within your club. The smaller orange and purple meeting places representing the supporters, staff and other clubs.
The two other large meeting places acknowledging the different cultures within the club. The central meeting place celebrating 25 years, branching out to your Indigenous players, their totem and connection to their clan group.
This design will be worn this weekend against the Dolphins and again in round 15 against Cronulla.
Indigenous players for the Melbourne Storm
#38 – Peter Robinson
#79 – Greg Inglis
#97 – Will Chambers
#104 – Dane Nielsen
#108 – Sam Joe
#116 – Luke Kelly
#132 – Beau Champion
#134 – Maurice Blair
#156 – George Rose
#159 – Joel Romelo
#165 – Tom Learoyd-Lars
#176 – Josh Addo-Carr
#191 – Scott Drinkwater
#198 – Nicho Hynes
#200 – Brenko Lee
#210 – Reimis Smith
#214 – Jordan Grant
Melbourne Storm’s record wearing Indigenous jerseys
2012 – S15E22: Defeated Penrith 48–6 at AAMI Park
2014 – S17E23: Defeated Cronulla 48–6 at AAMI Park
2015 – S18E22: Defeated Gold Coast 36–14 at AAMI Park
2016 – S19E10: Defeated North Queensland 15–14 at Suncorp Stadium
2017 – S20E10: Lost to Gold Coast 36–38 at Suncorp Stadium
2018 – S21E10: Defeated Gold Coast 28–14 at Suncorp Stadium
2019 – S22E11: Defeated Canterbury 28–6 at Belmore Sports Ground
2020 – S23E12: Defeated Newcastle 26–16 at Sunshine Coast Stadium
2021 – S24E12: Defeated Brisbane 40–12 at Suncorp Stadium
2021 – S24E18: Defeated Newcastle 48–4 at CBus Super Stadium
2022 – S25E12: Defeated Manly 28–8 at AAMI Park