ON MONDAY, Melbourne Football Club officially rebranded to Narrm Football Club in what was the beginning of a two-week long initiative by the club in celebration of the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

At the AFL’s official launch of the 2022 Sir Doug Nicholls Round, proud Bunuba man Toby Bedford expressed what it means to the playing group to take on the traditional Aboriginal name for Melbourne.

“It means a lot for not just the Indigenous players, but the whole group,” Bedford told Melbourne Media.

“To us Indigenous players, it means a lot to us and our families to get that recognition as Aboriginal people.

“Matty Whelan and the crew that worked to get this over the line have done a terrific job.

Narrm will run out in its 2022 Indigenous guernsey on Saturday when it faces North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium.

The jumper was designed by Wurundjeri/Dja Dja Wurrung artist Ky-ya Nicholson Ward and will compliment North Melbourne’s guernsey design, which Ky-ya also created.

“We’ve seen the [sleeveless] version and the long-sleeve version and everyone is just really keen to wear it,” Bedford said of the jumper.

“It’s exciting for Ky-ya, it’s pretty special for two teams to be playing each other and wearing designs by the same artist.”

Narrm will be proudly playing in the 2022 Indigenous guernsey during Rounds 10 and 11.

For the duration of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Melbourne Football Club will be rebranded and referred to as the Narrm Football Club.