AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has acknowledged the league faces significant challenges in reversing a worrying decline in the number of Indigenous players at the top level. In 2026, only 62 First Nations players are on AFL club lists, a sharp drop from the record 87 recorded in 2020.
New fund to support First Nations representation
In response to this decline, the AFL has launched the First Nations Impact Fund, which will invest approximately $300,000 annually in partnership with clubs. The fund aims to grow First Nations representation across the industry by creating culturally safe environments and actively addressing racism wherever it exists. The league is also considering introducing an additional list spot specifically for First Nations players.
Speaking on Monday, Dillon emphasised the importance of providing opportunities. "The plan for me is about providing opportunity. That's why we're looking at investment in the talent programs as really important for us," he said. "We're looking at different list mechanisms potentially as well, but ultimately it's about investing in grassroots, getting more boys and girls playing, and then making sure there's opportunities at the talent level. Then when the players are then drafted we're making sure the First Nations players are staying in the game as long as others. There's plenty of work to do but we've got targets in mind and big focus points."
Committee meets to address the issue
A sub-committee comprising AFL and club figures met for the first time last week to discuss ways to boost Indigenous player numbers. St Kilda star Brad Hill welcomed the initiative but called for more Indigenous voices to be included in the discussions. He nominated former Carlton and Adelaide champion Eddie Betts as a potential candidate. "It's something that we want to work on. We want to get more Indigenous players at AFL level," Hill said. "There's obviously something going on - I don't know if it's at grassroots or wherever it is - but we definitely need to put some things in place to get the numbers. I think they've started off well with getting the committee and people behind the scenes to grow the game for Indigenous players and get more at clubs."
Dillon and Hill were speaking at the launch of the AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous round, which will be played over the next fortnight. Dillon noted that while nine Indigenous players were drafted by AFL clubs last year, 11 were delisted. "The players are there. Would we like there to be more? Absolutely, and that's why we are doing that work," Dillon said. "It's not only just about identifying (talent). It's then when the players are on a list, how can we make sure that the Indigenous player stays on the list as long as any other player."
Future of Indigenous All-Stars and NT games
Dillon confirmed that the Indigenous All-Stars team will feature on the representative calendar in future after a successful return in 2025. However, the league is not planning to schedule an increased number of games in the Northern Territory, despite St Kilda coach Ross Lyon's call for nine fixtures each season in Darwin. The Northern Territory will host three games in 2026 - two in Darwin and one in Alice Springs. "I think two or three or four is about the right number for the NT at the moment," Dillon said.
