Eagles ready for Doug Nicholls Round

The West Coast Eagles will again identify as Waalitj Marawar during the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Waalitj Marawar, ‘Eagles of the West’ in Noongar, was formulated in collaboration with the club, the Elders in residence and the RAP Committee.

Identifying as Waalitj Marawar pays respect to the Wadjuk people of the Noongar nation, the traditional custodians of land on the swan coastal plain and east beyond the hills.

It will be the 19th year the AFL has had a dedicated Indigenous round and the 10th year it’s been known as Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

This season also marks 20 years since the Indigenous Team of the Century and 30 years since the introduction of the Peek Rule (Rule 35, the AFL’s anti-vilification and discrimination rule).

The 2025 theme for Sir Doug Nicholls Round is Past legacies, future legends.

This theme recognises and honours the significance of the anniversaries in 2025, while celebrating the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the game today and into the future.

It also provides a strong connection back to the Indigenous All Stars game in February, where Indigenous players from all clubs celebrated the legacy of the Indigenous All Stars match and connection across the AFL, with exciting Eagles forward Liam Ryan, experienced midfielder Tim Kelly and young forward-ruck Coen Livingstone representing the All Stars.

West Coast unveiled its First Nations Guernsey last week, to be worn across Sir Doug Nicholls Round, designed by Wongutha man Kevin Wilson and Maduwongga and Noongar woman Taryn Woods, in collaboration with the Eagles’ First Nations players.