AFL aiming to bolster number of Indigenous recruits after dip

The number of Indigenous players on AFL lists dipped in 2024, with the league set to beef-up its Indigenous pathways to get more First Nations players lining up at the top level.

Richmond’s Indigenous players lead the pre-game event at the 2023 Dreamtime at the G. Picture: Michael Klein

The AFL is beefing up its Indigenous pathway networks amid concerns about a reduction of First Nations players on playing lists.

From a high of 87 Indigenous players on AFL lists in 2020, there are now 15 fewer – a total of 72 players in season 2024.

St Kilda and Richmond both have six Indigenous players on their lists – Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Bradley Hill, Liam Henry, Marcus Windhager, this weekend’s debutant Lance Collard and Isaac Keeler at the Saints; and Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Marlion Pickett, Maurice Rioli Jnr, Rhyan Mansell and Matthew Coulthard at the Tigers.

Port Adelaide has the most, with seven, while Gold Coast and West Coast also has six.

The AFL met list and recruiting managers on Thursday and detailed the increased resources from grassroots and up to help grow the Indigenous and multicultural pathways.

AFL football boss Laura Kane said the number of Indigenous players on lists had remained consistent over the past four years, and noted the “slight reduction’’ in 2024.

“We are focused on growing this number for future years,’’ Kane said.

“We are working closely with list managers across all our clubs to grow our Indigenous talent pathway.’’

As part of the AFL football department restructure, the diversity team has been bolstered with the appointment of Pauly Vandenbergh as Indigenous and multicultural player engagement manager and Narelle Long as diversity talent programs manager.

Richmond’s Indigenous players lead the pre-game event at the 2023 Dreamtime at the G. Picture: Michael Klein

“This year we have a strong focus on transitioning and retaining Indigenous talent in regional, club and state talent pathway programs across the country,’’ Kane said.

“In addition to our current programs, we have introduced a new National Diversity Academy which will bring together our top 15 Indigenous and top 15 multicultural players in their 17th and 18th year as they lead up to the draft.”

Already, the AFL has two tournaments “targeting engagement and talent identification’’. They are the Woomeras tournament, which engages 25 female footballers aged 15, and the Flying Boomerangs tournament, which engages 25 male footballers aged 15.

The existing National Indigenous Academy targets 80-90 male and female players aged 16 and 17 in a year-long programs which focuses on “football development, leadership, culture, and wellbeing excellence’’.

Although the Next Generation Academies have caused some consternation among clubs about accessibility to players, the fact is it engages 240 Indigenous and multicultural players in the 16-18-year age bracket.

Data also shows that Indigenous numbers in Auskick have improved year on year from 2021, and that 40 Indigenous Auskick centres will be delivered in 2024. And there are plans for Indigenous coaching workshop in late 2024.