Like a lot of Indigenous Australians, Newcastle Knights star utility Connor Watson has lost a member of his mob to suicide.
The NRL's Indigenous Round is about much more than colourful jerseys for the proud Kamilaroi man, who is determined to raise awareness about Aboriginal mental health.
"For me, it's an everyday thing, but for non-Indigenous people, this week puts a spotlight on it, so we get to learn more about it," he said.
"As a nation we could do better focusing on it every day."
Since losing his young cousin Parker to suicide in 2017, Watson has spearheaded a foundation called Cultural Choice, which focuses on programs aimed at preventing Indigenous youth suicide.
Every year, Watson brings together Aboriginal people to paint designs on the boots of NRL players to wear during Indigenous round.
Watson said he was pleased to see signs of progress in this year's round, with South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell speaking out about online trolling and the NRL taking a strong stance on stamping out racism.
League chief executive Andrew Abdo has warned abusive fans would be "eliminated from our game".
"It's awesome they've brought in these rules now that people can be held accountable for what they say online," Watson said.
"It's unfortunate that we're still in a place as a society where people have these thoughts and say these things. It's not on."
A 'mad' experience
When the Knights run out this Sunday against Manly in front of the home fans at Hunter stadium, the players will be wearing boots designed by the boys at the Kirinari Aboriginal hostel in Newcastle.
Head of boarding, Lehetta Lane-Porter, said the boys undertook research on the players and drew inspiration from their own culture when painting the boots.
"That's something they're gonna carry with them for the rest of their lives," she said.
Footy-mad Jarmaine Elemes, 17, originally from Dubbo, designed boots for Newcastle's Origin star winger Edrick Lee.
"I already knew that he was Torres Strait and Aboriginal, so I just did red, black and yellow on one boot, and Torres Strait colours and just mixed it up," Jarmaine said.
The hostel works closely with Watson's foundation, and Ms Lane-Porter said the group had a talk about the importance of mental health.
"When they cope with mental health they like to be around family and friends, or sometimes they take it out on the footy field, or maybe going to the gym, sitting down having a yarn with aunties and uncles and even the workers at the hostel," she said.
Star players show their culture
Newcastle unveiled their jersey for Indigenous round, which was designed by Tyler Smith.
The Knights three Indigenous stars Connor Watson, Edrick Lee and Gehamat Shibasaki have their handprints and totems on the back of the shirt.
Watson will be represented by the goanna.
"In the day-to-day of it you don't really think how special it is, but it's actually crazy."
