The Essendon Football Club came together at the NEC Hangar for a special Dreamtime cultural event ahead of the Club’s annual clash and Long Walk celebrations.

Players, coaches, and staff heard from The Long Walk & Indigenous Affairs Advisor, Leanne Brooke and former AFL player and current Indigenous Player Development Manager, Travis Varcoe. 

The session focused on the significance of the Dreamtime match, with Brooke sharing the ongoing impact of The Long Walk and the importance of continuing to educate and highlight the amazing work the Long Walk is doing in the community.

Varcoe spoke to the role football can play in bringing people together and creating stronger connections to First Nations culture, while also reflecting on the responsibility clubs have in continuing to learn, listen and grow.

The Club also welcomed artist, Gunditjmara woman Aunty Karen Lovett, who designed this years Dreamtime Guernsey (a piece of me).

Lovett spoke about how proud she was to see her design come to life on the Guernsey - something she will always remember.

Following the presentation, players and staff broke into group sessions to create banners for this year’s Long Walk, with the collaborative activity designed to celebrate culture ahead of Friday night's Long Walk to the 'G.

The afternoon formed another important part of Essendon’s Dreamtime preparations, as the Club continues to honour and celebrate Indigenous culture through education and connection.