DEAN Kent says it’s important to celebrate the Indigenous players at the club and across the competition.
Kent said it was important to understand and learn from Indigenous Melbourne listed players Neville Jetta, Jeff Garlett and Jay Kennedy-Harris and honour past red and blue players with Indigenous heritage.
On Tuesday, Melbourne’s players, coaches and staff were privileged to see 'The Fighting Gunditjmara' dancers, and Kent added that Garlett and Jetta also spoke to the football department about their culture.
“With Indigenous Round this week, Jeffy [Garlett] and Nev [Jetta] spoke to us, and Nev talked a bit about the history and their culture,” he told Melbourne TV.
“Jeffy then brought a few of the dancers down this morning [after training] and they came onto ground and showed us their rain and fire dance which was a good experience.
“We’ve got three [Indigenous] boys here [at the club] and it means so much to them. All of us boys are really buying in and they have a lot to share with us from their families in the past. You just take in as much as you can.”
Kent said he couldn’t wait to play in Alice Springs, where Melbourne is aiming for its first win over Port Adelaide at TIO Traeger Park.
“It’s pretty important with Indigenous Round. I get to put on that guernsey, it looks really cool,” he said.
“We fly up there on Thursday night and spend two nights there before the game.
“It’s right in the Centre and we’ll have Jeffy and Nev up there with us. It’s always good to travel away with the boys and get away from Melbourne as it just really bonds us together. Hopefully we turn up on Saturday and beat Port."