WA Football Legend Honoured at Sir Doug Nicholls Round with Jumper Design

WA football legend Michael Mitchell has designed Richmond Football Club’s 2026 Dreamtime guernsey, alongside his daughters Meghan and Sam.

The Yamatji and Nyamal man providing Richmond with the Guernsey they will wear against Essendon in the Dreamtime at the ‘G match this Friday 22 May.

The design tells the story of Mitchell’s family and the three clubs that shaped him Carnarvon Football Club, Claremont, and Richmond each represented by a circle on the guernsey. A red-tailed cockatoo on the back symbolises his parents. A dugong and turtle on the front sash honour his home of Shark Bay, while the reds, blues and gold tie back to Carnarvon, their ties as saltwater people and his Richmond playing days.

Richmond players Maurice Rioli Jnr and Rhyan Mansell pose in Mitchells Design.

Mitchell played 81 games and kicked 103 goals for Richmond between 1987 and 1991. At just 173cm an 66kg, the high- flying small forward took out both Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year in 1990.He was inducted into the WA Football Hall of Fame in 2022 as well as Claremont Football Club Hall of Fame in 2024 after a 1984 season that would see him be rewarded with the Sandover medal. Followed by an All-Australian selection in 1985 and 1986.

Mitchell in action for the Richmond Football Club

Mitch is a consultant to WA Football and a key figure in Tackle Your Feelings, the mental health program WA Football delivers as a partner. He sits on the program’s steering committee and is the only First Nations facilitator in WA.

Mitch’s Commitment to Wellbeing does not just stop there. After his AFL career Mitch went on to manage and coordinate a variety of community-controlled services including Carnarvon Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation, the Carnarvon Community Development Employment Program and the Central West Aboriginal Mental Program. Michael now consults with a variety programs and organisations including the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.

The 2026 Dreamtime guernsey will be worn by Richmond’s AFL side this Friday night, with the AFLW team to wear it later in the season. Proceeds from Dreamtime merchandise support Indigenous youth through Richmond’s Korin Gamadji Program.