Sherrin has launched the Sir Doug Nicholls Round balls for Rounds 10 and 11 of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership season, historically changing their brand name on the game balls to Yiloga (pronounced Yi-LO-A), the Tiwi name for football.

This is the first time in more than 140-years that Sherrin has changed their brand name.

The idea comes from a desire to deepen the Sherrin connection with Sir Doug Nicholls Round and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within the game. Sherrin had previously brought to life the artists’ designs for Sir Doug Nicholls Round balls and ranges in the past, but were seeking to do more. 

Richmond star and Tiwi Islander Daniel Rioli was on hand to launch the new Sherrin balls at the MCG, and said he was extremely proud to see Yiloga on the game balls:

“It’s a proud, proud moment, it means a lot to see the name written on an AFL football and to kick the footy on Saturday night in the AFL, it’s going to be pretty special for the Tiwi Islands”.

Essendon fan favourite and Tiwi Islander Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti was also at the launch of the game balls, and spoke about the significance of Sir Doug Nicholls Round for himself and Indigenous communities:

“I always look forward to Sir Doug Nicholls Round. You get to represent where you’re from and your people. It’s great to showcase the Indigenous culture and share it with your teammates, the footy club and the whole of Australia.

“Obviously growing up on the Tiwi Islands, playing football, Yiloga is a great thing we always do and it’s pretty much a part of us wherever we go. It’s great to see on Saturday night that the name Yiloga is going to represent where I’m from and the Tiwi Islands.”

The Sir Doug Nicholls Round 2023 Official Game Ball has been designed by Jennifer “Lulu” Coombes, a Tiwi artist from Pirlangimpi Melville Island. This is the second consecutive year where Aunty Lulu’s design will be used on the balls as part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

Aunty Lulu, when speaking on the design of the game balls and the addition of Yiloga, said:

“I feel really proud to showcase our Tiwi culture and art. I didn’t know that in 140 years the Sherrin name has never been changed, so for the ball to have Yiloga on it is pretty deadly!

“I think it’s really important to us on the Tiwi Islands. It’s like a religion, footy, so I feel really proud to showcase our Tiwi culture and art”.

For those who would like to get their hands on a piece of history, there will be a limited number of Yiloga game balls available on Sherrin.com.au. The proceeds for these balls will be donated to the Michael Long Foundation.

The existing Sir Doug Nicholls Round range take-down replicas are also still available to purchase.

Photo credit: Andrew Papanikolaou (Sherrin).