AFL addresses decline in Indigenous players with new initiatives and funding
Consensus Summary
The AFL is addressing a significant decline in Indigenous players, which has fallen from a peak of 87 in 2020 to 62 in 2026. The league has launched a $300,000 First Nations Impact Fund annually to improve cultural safety, combat racism, and boost recruitment, though experts argue the funding is inadequate. AFL CEO Andrew Dillon emphasized the need for grassroots investment and retaining Indigenous players longer, noting that 11 were delisted in 2025 despite nine being drafted. St Kilda player Brad Hill and others advocate for greater Indigenous representation in decision-making roles, while former advisory council chair Paul Briggs criticized the AFL for ignoring its advisory body. The league aims to reverse the trend, with a target of 89 Indigenous players by 2030, but faces skepticism about the effectiveness of current measures.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The number of Indigenous AFL players dropped from 87 in 2020 to 62 in 2026.
- The AFL launched a First Nations Impact Fund with approximately $300,000 annually, funded by Indigenous guernsey sales.
- AFL CEO Andrew Dillon stated that 9 Indigenous players were drafted in 2025, but 11 were delisted, contributing to the decline.
- The AFL is considering giving clubs an extra list spot specifically for First Nations players.
- St Kilda player Brad Hill (Noongar) called for more Indigenous representation on AFL committees, including Eddie Betts and Michael 'Sonny' Walters.
- The AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round was launched on May 11, 2026, with a focus on Indigenous representation.
- Indigenous players’ careers last approximately one year shorter on average than non-Indigenous players.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- AFL boss Andrew Dillon said the league has 'plenty of work to do' to combat the decline in Indigenous players.
- The AFL is not planning to schedule more games in the Northern Territory, with only three games (two in Darwin, one in Alice Springs) in 2026.
- Brad Hill mentioned a sub-committee of AFL and club figures met for the first time last week to discuss boosting Indigenous players.
- The Indigenous All-Stars team will feature on the representative calendar in future after a successful return in 2025.
- The AFL’s five-year strategy targets increasing Indigenous players to 89 by 2030.
- Brad Hill referenced a 'casual racism' incident involving St Kilda coach Ross Lyon but declined to elaborate further.
- The $300,000 fund is part of a broader strategy to address culturally unsafe environments and racism.
- Swinburne’s pro vice-chancellor Indigenous engagement John Evans criticized the $300,000 fund as insufficient, suggesting $3 million would be more appropriate.
- Former AFL advisory council chair Paul Briggs quit last year, citing under-resourcing and lack of collaboration from the AFL.
- Willie Rioli retired at age 30 in 2025 after 109 games, citing a desire to help the next generation of Indigenous players.
- Evans highlighted biases in recruitment, including a tendency to favor private schools and athleticism over raw talent.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The ABC and Guardian state the $300,000 fund is funded by Indigenous guernsey sales, but Newscomau implies it is an estimate based on expected sales without confirmation of actual funding source.
- The ABC and Guardian mention the AFL is considering dedicated First Nations list spots, but Newscomau does not explicitly confirm this as a concrete plan.
Source Articles
'Work to do': AFL targets Indigenous player boost
The AFL is considering a range of measures to boost the number of Indigenous players in the league following a significant decline in recent seasons.
AFL to plough funds into addressing racism as league grapples with Indigenous drop-off
First Nations impact fund will receive around $300,000 this season Indigenous careers one year shorter than non-Indigenous players The AFL will divert around $300,000 from Indigenous guernsey sales towards initiatives designed to address culturally unsafe environments and racism, as the league grapples with a growing trend of First Nations players leaving the game. The number of Indigenous players in the league has dropped every year since its peak of 87 in 2020, to now where it sits at 62. Unde
AFL’s ‘insulting’ gesture for Indigenous players
A $300,000 AFL fund to boost Indigenous participation has been dismissed as “executives’ coffee money” by critics.