In the lead-up to the Sydney Swans’ clash with Collingwood in Marn Grook at the SCG on Friday night, veteran Sydney defender Nick Smith on Thursday attended AFL NSW/ACT’s flagship Indigenous Round Gala Day.

The First Nations Cup took place at Glebe’s Jubilee Oval as about 60 Indigenous high school students participated in a fun-filled afternoon of AFL 9s and a range of traditional games, including Marn Grook.

Smith has played alongside a raft of past and present Indigenous Swans, including Adam Goodes, Michael O’Loughlin and Lance Franklin – and he says they’ve all had a lasting impact on his understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

“I was fortunate enough to play with Adam Goodes, Michael O’Loughlin and ‘Buddy’ now, as well as a host of other guys, who’ve made me aware of how important Aboriginal culture and history is,” Smith told SwansTV.

“It’s so important that all Australians are aware of what happened in the past.”

AFL NSW/ACT partnered with the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) to host the event.

The Sydney Swans Foundation is the driving force behind the club’s community work. CLICK HERE to learn more about the work of the Foundation.