The Yartapuulti Football Club has unveiled its 2026 First Nations guernsey, designed by Kaurna elder and former player Uncle Mickey Kumatpi O’Brien. 

As a reflection and symbol of club connection and unity, Yartapuulti will wear the same guernsey across both Sir Doug Nicholls Round and AFLW Indigenous Round for the second consecutive year. 

Uncle Mickey's design reflects the meaning of Yartapuulti — with ‘Yarta’ translating to place or land, and ‘Puulti’ meaning sleep or dead — bringing to life the significance of the area through traditional Kaurna storytelling. 

Having played an integral role in the club’s Kaurna translation to Yartapuulti in 2023, Uncle Mickey's design is a fitting and meaningful continuation of that story. 

The artwork draws on cultural storytelling methods long practiced by Kaurna people, who share stories across artefacts, landscapes and their bodies through ochre, dance, play and ceremony. 

Striking teal and white ochre lines form a central part of the design, with the teal representing the waters of the Port River, as well as the surrounding peninsula and coastlines. 

The white ochre depicts the landscapes of Mudlhangga — the nose of the Lefevre Peninsula — along with the footprints of the Tarnta, the red kangaroo, and its spiritual connection to the landscape of Adelaide and South Australia. 

Five detailed Kaurna shields running down the centre of the guernsey represent Uncle Mickey's own family and the ancestors of the Kaurna people who were laid to rest in and around the area, adding another layer of cultural and spiritual significance. 

Along one side of the guernsey, a series of fish and mangroves tell the story of when mangroves would leach toxins into the Port River, paralysing the fish and making them easier to catch. 

On the opposite side, intricate outlines of birds and footprints represent local and migratory birds who would rest in the area overnight, reinforcing the meaning of Yartapuulti as a place of rest. 

Uncle Mickey has also included a hidden element within the design, adding a subtle nod to the club’s Magpies history. 

“If you look closely, you’ll see there’s a magpie to add another connection back to the club itself, it was lovely to make that a hidden feature,” he said. 

“Because when you understand culture, coming to know a place isn’t just being told about the place — it’s about connecting, searching, finding and looking. 

“That’s what the jumper does — it encourages people to look deeper into the design and discover the meaning, the symbols, and their connections to those animals, particularly the birds, and also the elements of Yartapuulti.” 

The final element is the Kaurna word Yuringkarninthi, placed on the inside of the player-issued guernsey collar. It translates to ‘enquiring ears’, reflecting the idea that with curiosity comes greater knowledge. 

Uncle Mickey said the opportunity to design the guernsey was deeply personal and grounded in connection. 

“It’s an honour, but also not just only an honour — it’s a connection, from not only being born in this area (Port Adelaide) and always being a Port follower after my brothers, who played at the football club, but also myself playing at the football club,” he said. 

“That connection to not only be a player, but now, like many, a supporter of the club, and to have that ability to once again reconnect with the players by designing a jumper gives me a fantastic opportunity to embed culture, but also my connection with the club as a past player and now as a supporter. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing the jumper being worn by the players — both the women’s and men’s teams — and for our supporters to enjoy it as well.” 

Adding to the significance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round is the club’s Santos Aboriginal Power Cup, a program designed to re-engage more than 900 First Nations students from metropolitan, regional and remote South Australia and the Northern Territory in their education. 

To mark the program’s completion, students will come together at two football carnivals in the Top End and at Alberton Oval across both weeks of Sir Doug Nicholls Round. 

More than 200 First Nations students from the Northern Territory will take part in the carnival for the first time in the program’s history ahead of the club’s Round 10 clash against the Gold Coast Suns at TIO Stadium. 

At the club’s home Sir Doug Nicholls Round match, almost 700 First Nations students will participate in the annual carnival, and in a special on-field cultural performance at Adelaide Oval ahead of Yartapuulti’s clash against Carlton. 

For the fourth consecutive year, the club will be known as the Yartapuulti Football Club during Sir Doug Nicholls Round, AFLW Indigenous Round and the SANFL First Nations Round in 2026. 

Replica guernseys and run-out tees in adult and youth sizes are now available at the Port Store at Alberton Oval, online and at Adelaide Oval, alongside unisex hoodies and a range of accessories, including merino wool scarves and can coolers. Click here to explore the range.

Player-worn guernseys will be auctioned following Sir Doug Nicholls Round, with proceeds supporting Power Community Limited’s Aboriginal programs. 

In its 19th consecutive year, the Santos Aboriginal Power Cup is the longest-running joint education and AFL community program for First Nations students in the Australian professional sports industry. 

The program has officially expanded into the Northern Territory in 2026, partnering with nine schools and engaging approximately 200 First Nations secondary students as part of efforts to address declining school attendance rates. 

School attendance among First Nations students in the Northern Territory currently sits below 60 per cent, while only around 40 per cent complete Year 12. 

Underpinned by a dedicated education-based strategy, the multi-faceted program engages First Nations secondary students in their education and future career pathways, culminating in an AFL carnival. 

Widely regarded as an industry-leading initiative, the program explores and embraces Aboriginal culture and is carefully designed to support National Closing the Gap targets relating to health, wellbeing, education, employment and economic participation.