Strength and protection headlines the gift Kuwarna will hand over to Greater Western Sydney as part of AFLW Indigenous Round this Saturday.

Kuwarna will face the Giants in Sydney to kick off week one of AFLW Indigenous Round, and will be involved in a gift exchange pre-game.

Proud Adnyamathanha, Yawarrawarraka, Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte artist Patrick Ikaringanyi Ferguson designed and created a shield from red gum trees, which will be given to GWS.

Ferguson said he was honoured to design the gift and explained the meaning behind the shield.

“Shields reflect a lot on strength and protection, which I think you’ll need going into this game,” Ferguson said.

“The lines (on the shield) indicate changes in weather and culture, and challenges in life.

“The pattern dates back many generations and I hope (the players) like it.”

Kuwarna will don the Club’s First Nations guernsey, which was also worn by the SANFL and AFL teams during their respective 2025 campaigns.

The guernsey was designed by former player and Wirangu man Graham Johncock and Wirangu artist Aunty Christine Tschuna.

The design tells his story from growing up on the far west coast of South Australia to playing juniors at Mallee Park and with Port Adelaide’s SANFL team, before being drafted by Kuwarna with Pick No.67 in the 2000 National Draft, and eventually returning to Mallee Park at the end of his AFL career.

Two-time Kuwarna Premiership star Danielle Ponter, who is a proud Anmatyerre, Marranunggu and Tiwi woman, says the round allows First Nations' people and their culture to be celebrated.

"Indigenous Round is really special, and as a proud Indigenous woman and player, a lot of it is about pride, and who I am and where I come from," Ponter, who was set to play her 75th AFLW game on Saturday, said.

"I've been here playing footy on Kuwarna country for six years and I am really grateful for that.

"Everytime I run out there during these rounds it's a reminder of where I've come from and the people who have come before me.

"I carry my family, my community and my culture every time I run out onto the field."

Kuwarna faces Greater Western Sydney at Henson Park on Saturday at 12.35pm (ACST).

The game will be live on Fox Footy and Kayo.