The culture of First Nations people will be celebrated and on full display this weekend as the Kyabram District League holds its annual Indigenous Round.
Taking place during NAIDOC Week, the round raises awareness of First Nations people and pays respect to the world’s oldest continuous living culture.
A Welcome to Country and a minute’s silence will be conducted prior to all senior football and A-grade netball matches.
Each club will don their Indigenous apparel in all round 12 senior football and netball action.
The round’s feature game will be between Girgarre and Undera.
KDL president Fraser Kerrins thanked Tracy Hardie and Hume Dhelk Dja for their involvement in the league’s Indigenous Round.
“The KDL holds our Indigenous Round each year and it is really a fantastic day to be a part of for all of our clubs,” he said.
“Hume Dhelk Dja and Tracy Hardie have been fantastic in all the work they have done over the years to make this round possible.”
KDL operations manager Julian Perta highlighted each club would wear Indigenous-designed apparel.
“Each club will be wearing their apparel in each senior grade of both football and netball, which includes seniors, reserves, A-grade, B-grade and C-grade,” Perta said.
“The players look fantastic in their apparel, and I want to thank Tracy Hardie for all her support each season in making this day possible.”
The upcoming round of action is headlined by the top-of-the-table clash between Avenel and Murchison-Toolamba.
Avenel remains the only unbeaten side in the competition and plays host to the Grasshoppers on Saturday.
Murchison-Toolamba coach Nick Iorianni, speaking after his side’s impressive win over Shepparton East last week, said his side expected a stern challenge against the Swans.
“We don’t feel that we have had an easy game all season and I think our results reflect that,” he said.
“It doesn’t get any easier (next week) against Avenel. I was quick to remind the boys to do their recovery because that is crucial now that we are getting into the pointy end of the season.”
Iorianni was right in saying his side faces a huge test.
The Grasshoppers will need to figure out how best to combat Avenel’s talented midfield and stop their run out of defence.
Expect tough on-ballers Trent Freer and Jayedo Hexter to play a large role in combating Avenel guns Mitch Tobin, Kyle Maynard and Jack Myers.
The Grasshoppers’ midfield pressure around the contest was a highlight of their win over Shepparton East.
“For us it was our pressure around the contest,” Iorianni said.
“If that’s up to a high level we feel that we can compete with anyone in the competition.”
Avenel speedster Braydon Avola is another to watch out for after his eight-goal effort last week.
Avola is renowned for his relentless attack on the footy and his smart awareness around goals.
“He can play anywhere, whether that’s racking them up through the midfield or going forward and hitting the scoreboard, and there’s a reason why he’s regarded as one of the best players in the competition,” Avenel coach Kasey Duncan told the Seymour Telegraph during the week.
“Playing as that small deeper forward, his pressure was immense and the ball just seemed to follow him wherever he went.”
Lastly, Shepparton East will be out to bounce back following its loss to Murchison-Toolamba.
The Eagles lost a number of key personnel in the defeat and their injury list has ballooned out to near double-digits.
Rob Osborne’s outfit will need to be at their best on the road against a dangerous Stanhope.
The Lions will be out to jump above the Eagles following the top four clash.
Elsewhere, Dookie United gets a chance to add to its wins column with a bout against Tallygaroopna.
Longwood is at home to Nagambie, while Rushworth plays host to Merrigum.
Lancaster and Violet Town meet in the Sunday fixture in what is expected to be a cracking contest between two top six outfits.