It's been a tough start to the AFL Canberra season for Tuggeranong but the Hawks are hoping a special day for the club will coincide with a maiden win when they host the Gungahlin Jets on Saturday.
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The Hawks will be the first senior AFL Canberra team to don a specially designed jumper for the annual Sir Doug Nichols Indigenous round.
A first win of the season is up for grabs at Greenway Oval with both sides winless in their 2017 campaigns and desperate to avoid the wooden spoon.
Hawks reserves player Tom Hodge designed the jumpers after drawing inspiration his club and culture and will present the first grade team with their guernseys before the bounce.
"I think it's huge and from everything I've heard, everyone is happy to get involved," Hodge said.
"It means a lot to me being indigenous but also because we get to celebrate Indigenous culture."
The Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous round has become an important cultural event on the AFL Canberra calendar as the weekend celebrates the relationship between the game and Indigenous Australia.
Tuggeranong vice-president Gerrit Wanganeen says the team is "upbeat" for the weekend clash and both him and Hodge praised sponsors for making the day possible.
Wangeneen expects four indigenous players to feature in Saturday's game.
"They have an opportunity to represent their culture, they've all got different stories and backgrounds, both inside footy and outside of footy. All of our Indigenous players are really proud and excited to play," Wanganeen said.
Hawk veteran Ashley Pocock will play his 250th first grade game and hopes he can repay the Tuggeranong faithful with a win to mark the milestone and special occasion.
Marist College has followed suit and all 260 players from under 10s to 18s will wear a custom designed jumper with weekend.
The club founded in 1973 will have its jumper designed by 2014 ACT NAIDOC Indigenous Person of the Year, Dion Devow and will hold a Indigenous ceremony on Friday at Canberra Deakin Club at 6:30pm.
AFL CANBERRA
Saturday: Tuggeranong Hawks v Gungahlin Jets at Greenway Oval, Belconnen Magpies v Queanbeyan Tigers at The Chamberlains Law Nest, Eastlake Demons v Ainslie Tricolours at UNSW Canberra Oval. All games at 2pm.
