Mega fortnight of footy on Seven and 7mate
A mainstay on the AFL calendar, the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round will celebrate the contributions of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to Australian Football and the country.
Kicking off with tomorrow night’s Carlton v Sydney Swans clash at Marvel Stadium, Seven will spend the Half Time Break with this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round Honouree, Jingili/Warramunga/Ngalakan/Arrente man and football legend, Bill Dempsey.
A legend of the game on and off the field, Dempsey is a member of the Indigenous Team of the Century and a triple premiership player for both West Perth and the Darwin Buffaloes. Following his football career, Dempsey has committed his life to supporting Indigenous communities with his inspirational work in public housing.
Returning to the MCG for the first time since 2019, fans can witness all the key moments from the historic Dreamtime match between Richmond and Essendon live and free on 7mate, this Saturday night from 6.30pm AEST.
Seven’s Dreamtime team will include three-time Brisbane Lions premiership player Chris Johnson alongside Hamish McLachlan, Luke Darcy, Wayne Carey and Abbey Holmes.
Seven’s Dreamtime at the G coverage will include a Welcome to Country conducted by Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung elder Uncle Colin Hunter. Then, fans can tune in for half-time performance by up-and-coming vocalist Kristal West, the granddaughter of Indigenous land rights activist, the late Dr Eddie Mabo.
In Round 11, football’s #1 commentary team will be in Sydney to call the annual Marn Grook Game between the Sydney Swans and Richmond at the SCG, before heading to Darwin to bring footy fans all the action from the Gold Coast Suns v Hawthorn clash at TIO Stadium.
In a coup for footy fans, Darwin-born Shaun Burgoyne will return to the Top End to provide special comments as his old side takes to the field at TIO Stadium.
Before the on-field action kicks off, everyone’s favourite footy show The Front Bar will return tonight on Seven and 7plus, with an incredible line-up of the game’s best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players joining Andy, Mick and Sam at the bar.
Gavin Wanganeen, Michael Long, Nicky Winmar, Derek Kickett and Darryl White will be in The Front Bar this week to share the personal significance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, while reflecting on their monumental football careers.
7AFL commentator and three-time premiership player for the Brisbane Lions, Chris Johnson shared the personal significance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
“It’s been fantastic to be involved with Seven’s commentary team this season, and to add the Dreamtime match to an already great year, makes it even more special,” he said.
“As a player, I looked in from Brisbane and always felt a bit jealous of those two teams having the big spectacle, so it’s great that I can be involved in it now from an off-field perspective.
“We’ve come so far as an industry. Clubs have embraced the round and players are able to talk about their culture within the inner sanctums of their football clubs and engage with all staff at all levels. We’ve come a long way.”
Dreamtime match – Richmond v Essendon
Live from 6.30pm AEST, Saturday 21 May
