Adelaide defender Wayne Milera says Sir Doug Nicholls Round is an opportunity for the AFL community to come together and celebrate what Indigenous people have given the game.
The showcase Round will take place over two weekends in 2023 – Adelaide will face the Bulldogs in Ballarat this Saturday, before hosting Brisbane the following Sunday.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Milera said it was always special to don the Crows’ Indigenous guernsey and play in the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
“It is another chance to showcase our culture and represent our people,” Milera said.
“Along with that, it also allows us to acknowledge what Indigenous people have done for the game in both the past and present, so that’s why I think the round is very important.
“You definitely want to be playing and playing well in this game because it is such a special occasion for us.”
Adelaide will head into the clash against the Bulldogs after a convincing 52-point victory over St Kilda on Sunday afternoon.
Milera said the Crows’ ability to limit the Saints from scoring served as the catalyst for the strong win.
“It (the most pleasing part) was our ability to keep them to a low score,” Milera said.
“We always aimed to try and keep them under 65 and we were able to keep them to 67, so we restricted their score and were able to challenge them on the back of that and put up a good score ourselves.
“There weren’t really any passengers yesterday, everyone played their role and played it well.”
Milera was a standout in the victory, amassing 26 disposals at 85 per cent efficiency and seven marks.
The 25-year-old said the performance was a step in the right direction to becoming more consistent.
“I think that confidence in my body has always been there, I just haven’t quite done it over the course of all four quarters (in a game),” Milera said.
“Yesterday it was pleasing to really contribute (across the majority of the game), so the challenge now is just to continue to do that consistently.”