Greater Western Sydney forward Jeremy Finlayson says he's shocked, but thrilled, to learn he's related to Sir Doug Nicholls.
Finlayson's ties to the man the AFL's Indigenous round is named after were only revealed a few months ago.
The Giants attacker's father met with a cousin for the first time, who relayed the family links to Sir Doug.
"I actually found that I'm actually related to Sir Doug Nicholls so it holds a special place in my heart right now," Finlayson told reporters on Tuesday.
"I found that out a few months ago ... and I'm super-proud.
"It's massive ... to be related to him along the family tree, I can't believe it."
Finlayson said the revelation added significance to the looming Indigenous round named in honour of Sir Doug, who played 54 games for Fitzroy.
Sir Doug was the first Aboriginal to be knighted and also served as Governor of South Australia.
Finlayson said information about his heritage had lapsed for a period after his father's mother passed away.
Now, he reaches out to the cousin on a weekly basis for information.
"He has just got so much information," Finlayson said.
"I have always wanted to know more. I didn't know who to reach out to.
"And now I talk to him once a week, two times a week, and for him to tell me I'm related to Sir Doug Nicholls, I still can't get over it."
Finlayson's Giants meet Brisbane on Saturday with more injury woes as key backman Sam Taylor will have surgery on an ankle which will sideline him for eight weeks.
Taylor joins 15 teammates on the club's injured list, though Jack Buckley (ankle), Jacob Wehr (ankle), Tanner Bruhn (groin), Jake Stein (thumb), Braydon Preuss (shoulder) and Adam Kennedy (shoulder) all face fitness tests as they press to return.
"We have been dealt with that (injuries) all year and somebody else will step up," Finlayson said.
"We just trust our process. Within the four walls here we just know it's 23 players against 23 players.
"And obviously you lose some big names but everyone here on an AFL list is here for a reason."
