Noongar Yamatji woman and trailblazing AFLW player Kirby Bentley has been honoured as this year’s AFLW Indigenous Round honouree, recognising her impact as a player, coach, and advocate for young people.
Bentley, who grew up in Western Australia, made her mark as one of the inaugural AFLW players before moving into coaching with the Western Bulldogs and Essendon.
Her name is already honoured by the Kirby Bentley Cup – a WA tournament established in 2014 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls aged 13–15 into state-level football pathways.
She is the sixth person to receive the recognition, joining past honourees including Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO, Alicia Janz, Aunty Pam Pedersen, Ebony Abbott-McCormack and Mary Dunn.
The announcement was made at the Koorie Heritage Trust in Melbourne, coinciding with the opening of Connie Hart: One Stitch at a Time, an exhibition celebrating the life and weaving practice of Gunditjmara Elder Aunty Connie Hart.
AFL General Manager of First Nations Engagement and Inclusion, Taryn Lee, said the Indigenous Round is a chance to honour the women who have shaped the game and inspire those coming through.
“We’re thrilled to recognise Kirby Bentley as our AFLW Indigenous Round honouree this year. She’s been a strong role model and leader for the game both on and off the field,” Lee said.
“This year’s theme, Past Legacies, Future Legends, shines a light on the women who paved the way for women’s football, while celebrating the next generation.”
Celebrating culture through football
All 2025 AFLW Indigenous Round games will be played with a Sherrin designed by artist Emma MacNeill, a proud Martu woman. Credit: Richmond FC
Her artwork reflects past, present and future generations of women, with circular motifs representing places and connections.
The round begins in Darwin with the second Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond at TIO Stadium on Friday night, featuring a performance from Emily Wurramara, winner of the 2025 National Indigenous Music Awards Artist of the Year.
The celebrations then move north to Cairns on Saturday, September 6, where Hawthorn will take on St Kilda in a marquee match at Cazaly’s Stadium.
During the round, six AFLW clubs will adopt their traditional in-language names, with Adelaide becoming Kuwarna (Kaurna), St Kilda known as Euro-Yroke (Boon Wurrung), West Coast as Waalitj Marawar (Noongar), Fremantle taking the name Walyalup (Noongar), Port Adelaide as Yartapuulti (Kaurna), and Melbourne as Narrm (Woi Wurrung).
Ground signage at every match will also feature the name of the Traditional Custodians of the land on which games are played.
This year, all 18 clubs will wear guernseys designed in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, telling stories of culture, Country and resilience.
AFLW umpires will also don new uniforms designed by Noongar Wandandi Boodja man Joshua James, titled Moorditj Koondarm, meaning 'Strong Dreams'.
