Dreamtime at the 'G silent but clubs to mark occasionPeter Ryan
The Age
13 May 2020The annual Dreamtime at the 'G match between Richmond and Essendon that attracts about 80,000 spectators to the MCG each season will be recognised in its absence on May 23, the date it was scheduled to be played in 2020.
The Tigers and the Bombers are planning activities around what would have been Sir Doug Nicholls round to acknowledge the contribution of Indigenous culture to football, with their clash always the marquee match of the round.
The match was originally scheduled to be a lead-in to national reconciliation week, which begins on Wednesday, May 27.
The two clubs are also hopeful that when they are eventually drawn to play each other in 2020 they will be able to dedicate the clash to the Dreamtime at the 'G concept, which was introduced in 2005 when coaching legend Kevin Sheedy was Essendon's senior coach.
Although the exact activities are yet to be determined the ceremonies leading into the match include a walk from Federation Square to the MCG to honour The Long Walk, as well as a welcome to country and a war cry/dance which exciting young Tiger Sydney Stack took part in last year.
Richmond have strong Indigenous representation at the club with last year's premiership team including Shane Edwards, Daniel Rioli, Shai Bolton and Marlion Pickett.
The Bombers have a long line of Indigenous players including Norman McDonald, Michael Long, Gavin Wanganeen and Derek Kickett while star forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is one of the game's most exciting drawcards.
The AFL recorded an Anzac Day ceremony that was aired on April 25 while Channel 7 is hopeful of broadcasting a FightMND Big Freeze Special on Queen's Birthday despite no football being played.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/dreamtime-at-the-g-silent-but-clubs-to-mark-occasion-20200512-p54s8d.html
