The lump in his throat said it all.
When 18-year-old Bradyn Campbell first saw the Wests Panthers Indigenous jersey he had designed in print, you could instantly tell how much it meant.
As it should for a teenager who has just helped his 104-year-old club reconnect with far-flung fans and raise thousands of dollars through something he poured his heart and soul into.
"It means a lot to me that Wests would go out of their way to ask me to do this," said Campbell, a Queensland Murri junior representative player.
"It looks impressive. I'm pretty happy with it.
"I never expected it to get this big. It's unbelievable really."
So far orders for the stunning Panthers jersey have been received from as far away as Sweden and Bosnia.
The number of jerseys sold has already crept beyond 100, with all proceeds being distributed between Wests Juniors and an Indigenous charity.
To understand the enormity of emotions faced by Campbell, he is also the club captain and halfback.
Descended from the Wakka Wakka people near Kingaroy, the design pays tribute to the Jagera and Turrbal people that occupied the site where Purtell Park now stands.
"We play on their land and the goanna is their totem, so it was important for me to have that in the design," revealed Campbell, who created the design with input from family and partner Amber Vellacott.
"The green around the goanna represents the fact we are surrounded by bushland.
"I've also included the sun and the symbol for a meeting place, because to me that's what this club is; we come here to get together, run around and play."
Wests Juniors vice president Dave Thompson said Campbell's jersey would be incorporated into a Panthers Indigenous Day this Sunday, July 29.
The day will see Wests legend Tony Currie present a medal named in his honour, and will include Indigenous dance and didgeridoo playing.
"When we thought of having an Indigenous jersey, we always wanted Bradyn to design it, nobody else," Thompson said.
"He is club captain, his parents work in the canteen, he has a real appreciation for his culture and he mentors the younger Indigenous kids here at the club.
"To top it off, he's just a really nice kid.
"None of this was ever originally about raising money. It was about the community and honouring the Indigenous contribution that's why we've kept the price of the jersey so low ($75 for adult jerseys, $50 for kids)."
So far Bradyn's jersey has been shared and liked on social media by Sam Thaiday, Steve Renouf, Scott Prince, Nathan Appo, Joe Williams, Nova Peris and Footy Show host Erin Molan.
Manufacturer ISC also donated a North Queensland Cowboys jersey to go towards fund-raising efforts.
"We are getting feedback from people all over the world – and importantly a lot of Indigenous people not even connected to the club – and they all love it," said Thompson.
"This has all taken off ridiculously well."
Wests Indigenous Day will commence early on Sunday with junior games from 9am, with the main Indigenous performances and recognition scheduled for noon, prior to Bradyn's Under 18 game at 12.45pm.
Orders for the Panthers Indigenous jersey close August 9 and can be made to secretary@westsbrisbanejrl.com.au
