The 31-player Indigenous All-Stars squad locked in with three-mark-of-the year winners included

With three mark-of-the-year winners included, the AFL Indigenous All-Stars squad is sure to provide plenty of highlights on February 13.

Jason Horne-Francis will play in the Indigenous All-Stars game. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Port Adelaide young gun Jason Horne-Francis says he’s excited to be playing with some of the “most talented players in the league” after his inclusion in the squad for the Indigenous All-Stars clash that is already a man down.

The full squad for the clash against Fremantle on February 13 has been confirmed, but star Western Bulldogs defender Liam Jones might not take his spot after hurting his hamstring on his team’s pre-season camp in Queensland.

He’s likely to miss joining the star-studded squad, which includes players prone to a highlight reel, with seven All Australians, seven top 20 national draft picks, and three mark-of-the-year winners.

West Coast star Liam Ryan has kept his spot despite being under investigation for an alleged fight at a music festival.

Liam Ryan is under investigation. Picture: Will Russell/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Horne-Francis, a No.1 draft pick, is among four Port players set to take the field for coach Xavier Clarke.

“I’m really excited to be selected to play in the Indigenous All-Stars game. To have four boys included from Port Adelaide is great recognition for our club,” Horne-Francis said.

“It’s an honour to represent my culture on the football field and to play alongside some of the most talented players in the league.”

Premiership-winning Melbourne defender Steven May played in the last All-Stars match in 2013 and said it was a “privilege” to go again.

“As a kid growing up in Darwin, I always dreamed of being part of it. I was lucky enough to play back in 2013, and it’s pretty surreal that I get that opportunity again,” he said.

An All Star for a second time 🌟 Steven May has been named to play in the 2025 Toyota AFL Indigenous All Stars game.

📝 | https://t.co/cSAsXNzrzEpic.twitter.com/090LzCFPln

— Melbourne Demons (@melbournefc) February 2, 2025

“It’s a privilege to represent our culture on the big stage. It’s also a great chance for us to come together, from different cultures and backgrounds, to play the game that we all love. Hopefully, we can put on a good show.”

Geelong rising star Lawson Humphries is among the huge number of rookies looking to “represent my culture and family”.

“Growing up, I admired players like Adam Goodes, Lewis Jetta, and Sonny (Michael Walters), who inspired me to play footy. To now be a part of the All Stars is something I’m truly proud of, especially sharing this experience with a close teammate in Tyson Stengle,” Humphries said.

“Being a Kimberley boy that grew up in the Pilbara, to be able to represent my culture and background surrounded by friends and family in the stands is something I won’t take for granted. Being so far away it’s hard for them to watch my games, so to play in front of them, while representing them, is exciting, and to do it against the team my family barracked for makes it even more special.”

Thirty-one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AFL players from 16 clubs have been named in the squad, a number that includes Jones, whose immediate playing future will be guided by scans on his injury.

The match will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth on February 13.

Indigenous All-Stars squad

Callum Ah Chee – Noongar, Palyku and Nyikina, Yawuru

Karl Amon - Noonuccal

Shai Bolton - Minang and Wilman

Jase Burgoyne – Kokatha, Larrakia, Warai

Charlie Cameron – Waanyi and Lardil

Jeremy Finlayson - Yorta Yorta

Jade Gresham - Yorta Yorta

Bobby Hill – Whadjuk, Ballardong, Noongar

Brad Hill – Wilmen, Noongar

Jason Horne-Francis - Wardaman

Lawson Humphries - Nyul Nyul, Oomiday, Worrora

Jarman Impey - Yorta Yorta

Joel Jeffrey – Kukatj, Wulwulam

Ash Johnson – Jaru, Kija

Liam Jones - Kija

Tim Kelly – Noongar, Wongi, Yamatji

Coen Livingstone – Balardong, Noongar

Ben Long – Anmatjerre

Steven May - Larrakia

Jesse Motlop - Larrakia

Alex Pearce - Palawa

Kysaiah Pickett – Yamatji, Noongar

Izak Rankine - Kokatha and Ngarrindjeri

Maurice Rioli - Tiwi

Willie Rioli – Tiwi

Liam Ryan – Yamatji

Jy Simpkin - Yorta Yorta

Tyson Stengle – Wirangu

Michael Walters – Whadjuk, Wilmen and Ngarrindjeri

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – Kokatha, Narangga

Zac Williams - Wiradjuri

Originally published as The 31-player Indigenous All-Stars squad locked in with three-mark-of-the year winners included