When proud Ningy Ningy woman Aliesha Newman thinks about running onto the SCG as the first Indigenous woman to play for Sydney, she gets goosebumps.
This Saturday's SCG match will not only mark the first women's Sydney derby following the expansion to 18 teams which has included the Swans, but the league's second Indigenous round - an initiative for which Newman pushed hard.
"I've been a pretty big driver of trying to get Indigenous round for the last seven years and we finally got one (last season)," Newman told reporters.
"We had a Pride game but we never had a (Indigenous) round.
"It's something that means a lot to me and my family ... to be able to represent them as well as everybody else in the community, and show what Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are capable of."
After leaving Melbourne, Newman's move to Collingwood coincided with the publication of the Do Better report.
The study revealed Collingwood's failure to address systematic racism and neglect to invest in a culturally safe workplace, resulting in the resignation of long-time president Eddie McGuire.
Though Newman was not involved with the report, she said she took part in discussions on how the club could learn from it.
The 26-year-old pushed for her team to educate themselves on Indigenous history and culture, and to engage with campaigns such as the Free The Flag movement.
"To look in and see what the men have to go through, it is really heartbreaking," Newman said.
"We can't just stamp out Collingwood. Every club needs to do better."
Only 20 Indigenous players are represented among the AFLW's 18 clubs, with 101 across the men's and women's league.
At the launch of this season's Indigenous round, AFLW boss Nicole Livingstone said the League was proud to celebrate, acknowledge and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.
AFL inclusion and social policy general manager Tanya Hosch said the governing body was committed to providing more programs to encourage more Indigenous woman to get involved.
"The AFL is continuing its commitment to ensure all Indigenous communities have the same access and opportunities in our game - from the grassroots level, all the way through to our pathways to the elite competitions," Hosch said.
Newman points to programs like Woomeras, and the Flying Boomerangs, which have helped more Indigenous women enter the league.
"Just having pathways and just to be able to have people to look up to," she said.
"You don't take that position lightly.
"It's exciting to be the first, but I just can't wait to see other Indigenous girls come through."
Newman is Sydney's most experienced player, with 41 games under her belt since debuting in the inaugural 2017 season.
The small forward is also Melbourne and Collingwood's first Indigenous player in the AFLW.
The Swans will be out for a debut win against GWS, who have also started the season without a win.
