The Dragons have launched the 2023 Indigenous Apparel, with winning artist Zoe Raymond’s artwork ‘Stand Your Ground’ featured on the jersey, with runner up artist Joanne Niki’s artwork ‘Pemulwuy’ featured on the training kit and polo.
This year's apparel depicts the truth-telling account of the Biddea’gal and Dharawal peoples battles against colonists in the early 1800s, led by supreme Aboriginal warrior Pemulwuy.
Zoe’s jersey artwork features a silhouette of Pemulwuy, watching over country, and a trail of spears that replicate the 12-year fight he led against the colonist. The different communities that make up the St George Illawarra region are represented through the circles. The U shapes with spears that line the top of the design represent the Dragons players, who stand their ground in and outside of the field and protect the country and the people today; showing the way for our future generations and being the warriors of now.
Joanne’s design featured on the training apparel calls on key elements of the Pemulwuy truth-telling. The image of the whale in breaching motion is representative of Pemulwuy and all other warriors who defend their nation. The larger red circles represent the leaders of each clan/family who stood alongside their family and friends to fight against those who planned to claim their lands, and include the weapons used by the indigenous warriors in those battles.
The Dragons will wear the Indigenous jersey in Round 12 against the Sydney Roosters, coinciding with the NRLs Indigenous Round.
The full apparel range is available to pre-order here.
