This Saturday, the Sydney Swans AFLW team will play their first Marn Grook game as part of the AFL's Indigenous Round.
The Swans will exchange gifts with their opponent, the GWS GIANTS before first bounce. The Swans will give the GIANTS a women's digging stick which was given to the club by Kodie Mason, a proud Gweagal, Ngarigo, and Dunghutti woman from La Perouse, Botany Bay.
On Thursday evening, as part of a cultural session to the playing group, Mason spoke about the gift:
"Kugang is my family’s word for this tool, which is a women’s digging stick and club," Mason said.
"It is a symbol of protection and represents a snake. They are used to dig and loosen the soil for planting or collecting food such as yams or burrowing animals, as well as a club.
"The elder women in my family believe that at night, the Kugang would turn into snakes and protect the family and children as they sleep.
"I feel proud to have these skills, knowledge, and stories passed down to me through generations and happily share this with your team. I hope to share this as a symbol of protection from my family to you all. The burnt engravings on the Kugang on each end are two circular lines representing your journeys as individuals and a team. The dots between them represent the people you meet along this journey."
Saturday's Round 3 match between the Swans and GIANTS kicks off at 2.40pm at the SCG. Adult tickets start from just $10 and juniors U18 enter free with a valid $0 ticket. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
Marn Grook at the SCG is always a special event. It’s extra special on Saturday because it’s the first time in our @aflwomens history 🖤💛❤️
— Sydney Swans AFLW (@SydneySwansAFLW) September 7, 2022
Tickets: https://t.co/CmlRZU6JXi pic.twitter.com/bpmfz5Mo0G
More history this Saturday as we play in our FIRST AFLW Sydney Derby and it's the FIRST time an AFLW game will be played on the @scg.
— Sydney Swans AFLW (@SydneySwansAFLW) September 7, 2022
Let's get plenty of red and white there to cheer on the girls.
Details & tickets: https://t.co/J3QxBIdqoA pic.twitter.com/IwdSIGXMzp