The Queensland Maroons Indigenous training jersey represents both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures.
Two artists, Travis Coyne and Gregg Dreise, collaborated on the design and cannot wait to see this year's Maroons don it during camp.
Coyne is a proud Bibbulmun man courtesy of his father’s side, which is located on the southwest coast of Western Australia (Noongar), and through his mother’s side he is connected to to Erub (Darnley Island) and Mer (Murray Island) in the Eastern Torres Straits.
"My artwork, celebrating both cultures, is featured across the front centre and lower back of the jersey," Coyne said.
"Positioned in the centre of the jersey, the headdress signifies being a warrior.
"The symbol below the headdress, inclusive of the circle and horse shoes, represents the South East Region of Queensland, where the home game of the Holden State of Origin is played; with the Queensland Maroons players gathering at Suncorp Stadium.
"The dot circles along the front and back of the jersey represent the people across the regions of Queensland supporting the team.
"Finally, the tribal necklace leading up from the headdress is made of spear tips and shark teeth - a visual representation of the Torres Strait Islands on the jersey."
Story behind the Maroons Indigenous training jersey
Dreise is a descendant of the Kamilaroi Nation from St George.
"My mother Lyla Knox and I come from a long line of proud indigenous artists... my Uncle Reg Knox even has an award from the Queen and painting in the Vatican Museum in Italy," Dreise said.
"I am continually travelling Australia and the World passing on my Kamilaroi and Euahlayi culture; I am an artist, a singer-songwriter, a didgeridoo player, a poet, an author and an illustrator of children’s books.
"My brother is the chairman for the Kamilaroi Native Title Claim, and we are very active in promoting our culture and maintaining our connection to country.
"My artwork always reflects our traditions and connection to country.
"The artwork I designed for the Queensland State of Origin training jersey is called 17 Boomerangs - one for each player that proudly wears the Queensland State of Origin Jersey.
"Thirteen on the front for the warriors on the field, and four on the back for the men waiting for battle.
"Four of the boomerangs are ‘killer boomerangs’ for the front rowers going straight and hard. The other 13 slightly vary to represent the skill of our players.
All 17 Boomerangs are ‘weapons’ – just like our mighty Maroons.
"The other representation of my design, is that boomerangs come back – just like the trophy will return to Queensland in the battle of 2019."
The training jersey is available now online.
