North Melbourne players will wear personalised boots for AFLW Indigenous Round this weekend, hand-painted by the club's Academy players.

The session was supported by First Nations guernsey artist Emma Bamblett (Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji, and Taungurung) who guided the players through the creative process of storytelling through art, focusing on the AFLW players' journey to football and their personal identity.

Young Academy player Evee Hazelman (Wiradjuri) who customised boots for the injured Erika O'Shea, explained the thinking behind her designs.

"My boots showed her journey from Ireland to Australia and finding a sense of connection at North Melbourne," Hazelman said.

"I used the Irish flag and Irish colours to represent Erika's background and where her journey began. I also included kangaroo footprints, which symbolise her journey to Australia. The connection symbol represents how, throughout her journey, she has found a new sense of belonging and connection at North Melbourne." 

Hazelman also helped customise the boots for Kangaroos captain Jasmine Garner. 

"I learned from Emma how cultural storytelling, traditional symbols, and deep community connections are woven into modern sporting designs," she said.

The Kangaroos will wear their 2026 First Nations guernsey in their Round 3 game against the Western Bulldogs in Launceston on Saturday, and against Euro-Yroke (St Kilda) in Moorabbin in Round 4.

Titled 'We are Marram', the guernsey is a First Nations interpretation of the club’s iconic Bounding Roo, honouring the cultural belonging of our 33 past and present First Nations players.

Marram, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language word for kangaroo, ties Emma Bamblett's design back to both Country and club identity.