PORT ADELAIDE defender Jarrod Lienert has long known about his Indigenous heritage but it has only been in the past year that he has started to explore that part of his identity.
The powerfully built big man has had a big year, breaking into the Power side and making his AFL debut late in the 2018 campaign.
The 24-year-old played the final six games of the season, looking comfortable and composed at AFL level.
He also decided to investigate his Aboriginal roots, with the support of Port Adelaide’s Aboriginal Programs Manager Paul Vandenbergh.
“I have never had a massive understanding of that part of my heritage but over the past six or seven months I have been looking to delve into it more and find out more about it,” Lienert told portadelaidefc.com.au.
“I’ve learnt a few things and it has been a great opportunity to get involved with the Aboriginal programs that Port Adelaide runs.
“I don’t know a whole lot about the cultural stuff, I just have a base knowledge of what people from around Murray Bridge know because that is where I am from, but it is something I have been looking forward to learning more about as time goes on.”
Lienert’s Aboriginal roots come from his maternal grandfather Lindsay Kestel, who he was very close to growing up.
And while they never delved deep into the family history, Lienert said it didn’t mean he was not proud of his Indigenous lineage.
“My grandfather passed away 12 years ago, and that’s where my Aboriginal heritage comes from and I had a great relationship with him so I’m certainly very proud to acknowledge my roots.
“It goes back a few generations on my mum’s side with the Ngarrindjeri people, through the Wilson family.”
Lienert has been welcomed into Port Adelaide’s Indigenous brotherhood, with current and past players getting together regularly for dinners and catch-ups.
The club has a proud history of nurturing Indigenous talent and has eight Aboriginal players on its current AFL list.
“It’s been good to get around them,” Lienert said.
“They’re a great bunch of guys and I love hanging out with them.
“They’ve got a really strong bond and they’re really close – I suppose they’re a group within a group.
“They’ve welcomed me during this period of me exploring my heritage and have been really supportive.”
Lienert is now looking forward to attending his first Indigenous All-Star Summit, this year hosted by the Port Adelaide Football Club.
The summit happens every two years and next week’s event is the first time the AFL and AFLPA have brought it to South Australia.
The event brings together most of the league’s 83 Indigenous players including stars like Paddy Ryder, Shaun Burgoyne, Lance Franklin and Eddie Betts for a four-day camp which embraces Indigenous arts and culture and provides a range of workshops and experiences.
Vandenbergh wanted to open the summit to non-Indigenous people within the industry, and for the first time, AFL and club administrators, club coaches and captains have also been invited.
“I’m looking forward to getting to the summit and finding out more about my culture and Indigenous roots,” Lienert said.
“Getting to meet all the other Indigenous guys from the other clubs and getting to know them will be really good.
“Obviously, some have stronger Indigenous links and cultural knowledge than others so I’m looking forward to being able to link up with and to work with those guys.”
