Indigenous ceremony and winning day for Mathoura

The Mathoura Timbercutters celebrated some special moments on Saturday, as their clash with Deni Rovers coincided with their Indigenous Round and Sponsors’ Day.

And their win secured a pathway to finals.

It was the second year the club celebrated an Indigenous Round, and senior playing coach Darcy Robinson said the club followed the lead of the AFL in adopting the round to show support for Mathoura’s First Nations players.

‘‘If the AFL can do it why can’t we?’’ Robinson said.

He said the round was both a celebration and acknowledgement of the contributions the club’s First Nations players have made to the Timbercutters, adding the football jumper and netball dress, designed by Uncle Raymond Walker, ‘‘represents so much’’ to those players.

‘‘When you look and listen to them speak about it, they’re so proud,’’ he said.

■ Sponsors day photos, page 6.

■ Football and netball match reports in PT Sport.

■ Uncle Rick Ronan conducts the smoking ceremony before Saturday’s game against the Deniliquin Rovers. Photo by Steve Huntley.