sport

Culture, history and heritage to take the field with Geelong for Sir Doug Nicholls Round

Jarred Cross Published May 21, 2026 at 3.30pm (AWST)

Geelong players will don boots painted by local community First Nations artists for the second week of Sir Doug Nicholls round, like these crafted by Wadawurrung artist and Cats fan Jenna Oldaker. Image: Jarred Cross.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and visual artist Jenna Oldaker is a Cats fan, and when the club takes on Sydney on Saturday afternoon, her work will be gliding across the turf with them.

Local First Nations artists have painted players' boots for the second week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round - and a top four blockbuster.

It's become an annual tradition at Geelong when the league's marquee celebration of First Nations players, people, history and culture comes around each year.

Oldaker, whose creative practice goes by the name Murrup Art, had a particularly unique opportunity in 2026.

Lawson Humphries will wear boots she crafted, closely reflecting the club's Indigenous jumper designed by the backline rebounder and his sister, Meeza.

*Oldaker's boot art replicating Lawson and Meeza Humphries' jumper design. Image: Jarred Cross*

"It's even more special to be able to paint his shoes. Lawson was really keen to have his boots replicate the jumper, so I copied the beautiful artwork...and tried to put it on his (boots)," she said.

Throughout, the design integrates symbols representing meeting place — "people on Country coming together" — U shapes for people, journey lines for Humphries' career in footy, and footprints, Older told National Indigenous Times.

The turtle and fish transcends across both Humphries' Country in the Kimberley (Nyul Nyul, Oomiday and Worrora) and Oldaker's.

"They're really important in Wadawurrung culture as well," she said.

"It's just such a beautiful moment to see, see my culture, to see my history and heritage represented," Oldaker said of seeing the boots out on the ground this weekend.

"I think footballers and the AFL have such a big platform for being able to share these important moments and share this beautiful culture.

"To be able to see them do that on the big stage, and for people to really take notice, I think is a really beautiful extra element of this round."

It's not the only pair of boots Oldaker painted for Saturday afternoon.

Cats players met, sat and discussed what they'll take out onto GMHBA Stadium against the Swans at the club on Wednesday.

*Jenna Oldaker with boots for Cats midfielder George Stevens. Image: Jarred Cross.*

Wagiman Man Nathan Patterson was another artist there on the day.

It's always something special to be a part of, he said.

"They do this every year, where they reach out to artists in the community to paint their boots to celebrate Sir Douglas Nichols round for the AFL."

Patterson is a previous designer of the club's Sir Doug Nicholls Round jumper, as well as others for Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon and the Bulldogs in recent years.

"It's going to be deadly to see the players run out in the boots on Saturday. It's always a proud moment...it's a great initiative by the club," he said.

Midfielder Jack Bowes will wear Patterson's design.

It incorporates symbols for Bowes, his wife and expected child, meeting place by the local Barwon River, wattle trees and wattle bush coming into flower during the winter months and You Yangs mountain range (called Wurdi Youang in Wadawurrung language) just north of Geelong with a setting sun.

Patterson is the creator and owner of art and design company Diwana Dreaming, and is involved with local culture-focused Djilang Sports Organisation.

He's been a Surf Coast local for the best part of 20 years.