NBL26 Indigenous Round Jersey: About the Artist, Carly Grey

The Tasmania JackJumpers are proud to unveil their 2025 NBL26 Indigenous Round jersey, a powerful representation of culture, connection, and country, created in collaboration with palawa artist Carly Grey.

A proud palawa woman, originally from the North West Coast of Lutruwita (Tasmania), Carly currently lives and works on Noongar country in Western Australia. Her artistic journey began in 2021 as a way to connect with her heritage and explore her cultural identity. Since then, she has used her work to drive healing and education within communities, families, and classrooms. 

Now a First Nations Liaison in a primary school, as well as a teacher and coach, Carly brings a deep passion for education, culture, and community to everything she does - including her art business, Krakani Creations. The NBL26 Indigenous Round jersey is a reflection of that journey.

“Using art, I’ve found stronger connections in my personal relationships and have had meaningful, healing conversations about culture and identity,” Carly said. “This design tells a story of the deep, continuous connection palawa people have to Lutruwita. I feel incredibly honoured to represent my community through this collaboration with the JackJumpers.”

Carly was selected as this season’s artist by the Tasmania JackJumpers Aboriginal Advisory Panel – Rodney Dillion, Teresa Sainty and Aunty Lola Greeno.

 Her design process was assisted by her dad, Guy 'Chalky' Grey through cultural perspective as well as her stepdad Todd Rogers (Todd Rogers signs), who assisted with the digital conversion of the artwork.  

Josh Bannan, Ben Ayre and Nick Stoddart in the Tasmania JackJumpers NBL26 Indigenous Round Jersey designed by Tasmanian Aboriginal Artist, Carly Grey

At the heart of the jersey design is Lutruwita, the traditional name for Tasmania, written in maireener shells, symbols of great cultural significance for palawa women. These shells are traditionally used in necklace making, a practice passed down through generations as a way to honour ancestry and connection to country.

Carly’s design also features nine yullas (mutton birds) on the left side, symbolising the nine traditional nations of Lutruwita. Mutton birding remains a vital cultural practice for Tasmanian Aboriginal communities, preserving stories, skills, and intergenerational knowledge.

On the right, nine meeting places are separated by waterways, referencing the importance of water for palawa/pakana people — as sources of food, transport routes, and spiritual sites tied to ancestral stories. These same nine meeting places appear again in the central map of Lutruwita, surrounded by journey lines that represent shared knowledge, stories, and connections across the land.

A JackJumper ant is seen resting on the coastline, symbolising the club's grounded connection to place and community.

On the shorts, nine petroglyph-inspired circles pay homage to traditional rock carvings, a record of continuous culture etched into the land. Another Jack Jumper ant appears on the coastline of Lutruwita on the front of the jersey.

Finally, the back of the jersey shows five yarning circles, each with five people, representing the JackJumpers' players, coaches, staff, members, and wider community. The number five also marks the club’s fifth year in the NBL. Within each yarning circle are thylacine paw prints, further grounding the design in identity, resilience, and strength.

“Carly’s artwork beautifully captures the essence of the Indigenous Round and what it means to be truly connected to culture and community” CEO Christine Finnegan said. 

Carly has previously worked with Fremantle Dockers in the AFL, designing their 2023 AFL Indigenous Round Jersey in collaboration with Tasmanian-born Dockers Captain Alex Pearce, honouring Pearce’s journey from Tasmania to Noongar country to play for Fremantle.

Krakani Creations Artist Carly Grey with Fremantle Captain Alex Pearce, wearing the Dockers 2023 Indigenous Round Jersey.  

PHOTO: Fremantle Dockers Football Club 

The jersey is now on sale at shop.JackJumpers.com.au and nblstore.com.au

The uniform will be worn during NBL Indigenous Round; the JackJumpers home game is on Saturday November 1 against Cairns Taipans, at Launceston Silverdome. 

Follow Carly on Instagram - @krakanicreations