AFL Indigenous All-Star game plans put on hold for 2024

The AFL’s plans to introduce an Indigenous All-Star game have hit a roadblock, but hope remains the innovation could be in play to arrive before the 2025 season.

Talks about an AFL Indigenous All-Star game next year have hit a roadblock.

AFL officials were keen to explore the possibility of an indigenous representative game featuring players from all clubs in February as part of the pre-season program.

Talent diversity boss Paul Vandenbergh canvassed clubs on the concept before a meeting of club football operations chiefs last week.

But the project has been put on the back burner for 2024 amid concerns there was not enough time to co-ordinate it for February.

When asked for feedback on the game, footy general managers told league officials it was likely too late to proceed.

Indigenous players come together before the annual Dreamtime game. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

It means the game could get the green light in 2025 as there is strong support broadly for the concept.

A game between indigenous and potentially players from multi cultural backgrounds would showcase the diversity in football.

But this year’s AFL season and pre-season competition will start one week earlier than normal due to the Opening Round games in the northern states from March 7-9.

Clubs are expecting one formal pre-season game and one unofficial pre-season game to prepare for the regular season.

Round one begins with the traditional Carlton Richmond blockbuster on Thursday March 14.

Originally published as AFL Indigenous All-Star game plans put on hold for 2024