Adelaide has introduced its 2024 Indigenous jersey designed by forward Izak Rankine, who collaborated with his cousin and artist Harley Hall, showcasing their shared Ngarrindjeri heritage.
Together, they have crafted a distinctive and meaningful jersey that not only reflects important aspects of their culture but also narrates Rankine’s personal journey from his roots in South Australia to his time on the Gold Coast, and eventually back to Adelaide Oval as a member of the Crows.
Unveiled just before the commencement of the 2024 Toyota AFL Season, this design will be worn by all three of Adelaide’s teams, including AFLW and SANFL, on various occasions throughout the year.
The jersey will make its debut on Saturday, April 27, serving as an alternate uniform for the Crows’ SANFL match against North Adelaide. Subsequently, it will be worn by the AFL team during the Sir Doug Nicholls Rounds in May, followed by the AFLW team in the upcoming season.
The central theme of the jersey is connection, with the artwork featuring the names of all past and present Indigenous players of Adelaide. This gesture celebrates their significant contributions not only to the Club and the sport but also to the broader community.
Rankine expressed his deep honor in contributing to the creation of the guernsey.
“It’s always a special moment during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, and having the opportunity to wear something that I’ve collaborated on with Harley is incredibly meaningful,” Rankine shared. “I know my family and our community will be immensely proud, and I can’t wait to experience that feeling when I step out in it.”
He also mentioned his childhood dream of designing a jersey specifically for Sir Doug Nicholls Round, highlighting how this experience is not only personally inspiring but also has the potential to inspire younger generations.
Rankine and Hall, having grown up together and shared family connections, cherished the chance to reflect on their journey and heritage through this collaboration.
“My father is from the Ngarrindjeri community around Murray Bridge, Coorong, and Goolwa areas, so the guernsey holds a deep connection to my Indigenous heritage on his side,” Rankine explained. “Harley shares the same background, and we aimed to incorporate that essence into the design. It’s incredibly gratifying to see our culture represented in this guernsey.”
Reflecting on their early days together, Rankine recalled memories of being on missions with Hall and riding on the back of his motorbike. Reconnecting with Hall for this project held significant meaning for Rankine, symbolizing a bond rooted in shared experiences and heritage.
Rankine and Hall expressed their satisfaction with the final design of the guernsey, highlighting the effort and thought that went into creating it.
The design of the guernsey symbolizes Rankine’s return to South Australia last year, driven by his childhood aspiration to play for the Crows and a desire to be closer to his family.
“I come from a large family, and my goal was always to come back home and be a positive influence, a leader for the young kids growing up in similar circumstances as I did,” Rankine shared. “Creating something like this, I hope it serves as inspiration for my nieces and nephews, showing them that they can achieve their dreams, even if it’s not related to sports. I want to instill in my community the belief that anything is possible.”
The guernsey, available for purchase online at CROWmania and in-store at West Lakes or home match days, features elements that hold deep significance for Rankine and Hall. The depiction of the Kalawindjeri (Milky Way) on the chest, representing their First Nations ancestors, stands out as their favorite part of the design.
Hall, who runs Aboriginal Art Designs, emphasized the importance of the guernsey in preserving their culture and serving as positive role models in the community.
“For us, it’s more than just art or design; it’s about preserving our culture, supporting each other, and being role models,” Hall explained. “Our culture has been a source of strength for me during difficult times, and I take immense pride in being part of the oldest living culture globally. As storytellers, we share our heritage and stories through our artwork to keep our culture alive, just as our ancestors did for thousands of years. Creating this design allowed us to share a part of our journey and showcase our creative spirit. I’m incredibly proud of it.”
