JEFF Garlett says it was a huge thrill to have his teammates’ boots painted for Indigenous Round.

Garlett organised close friend Carl Peterson, who was originally listed by Richmond and later played 17 matches for Hawthorn in 2010, and his partner Nikita Rotumah, to paint the Melbourne players’ boots for Saturday’s clash against Port Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park Oval.

“I’ve known Carl for a while – my partner and his partner are cousins, so we still have that connection,” he told melbournefc.com.au.

“I knew he had done a bit of painting and I asked if he was able to do the boots and he said he was happy to do it.

“Jonesy (Nathan Jones) came up to me and wanted to get the boots painted, so I wasn’t expecting that at all – for him to come up to me and ask that. So as soon as he said that I felt really honoured and happy that he asked me, so it definitely means a lot.”

Garlett said it was a huge buzz to see the finished product, when Peterson dropped the two big tubs of painted boots into the club on Thursday.

“It certainly does give us a thrill, especially being Indigenous Round – it’s an opportunity for us to go out there and do what we do for the round,” he saod.

“To get the boots painted is an awesome achievement and to get Carl to do it for the footy club is a huge honour.

“I’m very thankful for him to be able to do it for us, because he’s put in a lot of time and effort. We’re the first AFL club to ever do it, so it’s definitely a huge honour. I’ll wear them with pride and happiness. It really means a lot.”

Garlett, whose partner Jessica is related to the late Sir Doug Nicholls, said it was an honour for the family to have Indigenous Round named in honour of the late, great Australian and former Fitzroy star.