AFL Dreamtime clash to be broadcast in Yolŋu Matha

In an historic first, Yolŋu Radio broadcasters Daonga Maymuru, William Gumbula and Wanharrawurr Mununggurr will call the match in the language from Nhulunbuy.

Essendon's Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti and Richmond's Daniel Rioli following the 2019 Dreamtime at the G match. Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

Three remote broadcasters will commentate the traditional AFL Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond in Yolŋu Matha on Saturday night.

Yolŋu Radio's Daonga Maymuru, William Gumbula and 18-year-old Wanharrawurr 'BJ' Mununggurr will call all the action remotely from their station in Nhulunbuy in North-East Arnhem Land.

The broadcast will enter the homes of six major communities and 15 homelands across the region and also throughout Darwin and Palmerston.

BJ Mununggurr expressed his excitement for the occasion. 

“Yolŋu people love their footy, so for the community to be able to hear their favourite sport broadcast in Yolŋu Matha for the first time will be something special.” he said.

Wanharrawurr 'BJ' Mununggurr says he is excited about broadcasting the Dreamtime match in his traditional language. Source: Yolngu Radio

AFL Executive General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy, Tanya Hosch, stressed the importance of the partnership between the governing body and First Nations broadcasters.

“A number of traditional Aboriginal dialects have unfortunately been lost throughout generations, so to have AFL matches broadcast in traditional Yolŋu Matha language is a special occasion for Yolŋu communities." she said.

The Yolŋu broadcast will be available on 88.9FM throughout the Top End and also through the official AFL app.