Key AFL meeting to address fall in Indigenous numbers

A sub-committee of AFL and club figures will meet next week to address the fall in Indigenous player numbers and advance new targets to increase Indigenous representation in the AFL and AFLW by 2030.

The session will gather senior league executives and club representatives to consider retention, pathways, and industry employment outcomes for First Nations people across the AFL.

Key Points

The AFL has set targets to lift the number of Indigenous AFL and AFLW players by 2030 and has previously advised clubs it is exploring mechanisms to increase Indigenous players on lists, including the potential introduction of a dedicated list spot.

There are 62 Indigenous players in the AFL after an off-season that saw several big name departures, including Port Adelaide’s Willie Rioli. The AFL has stated it is seeking ways to retain Indigenous talent and broaden employment opportunities for First Nations people across the AFL industry.

The meeting will take the next steps on these objectives with a cross-section of club and league personnel, focusing on practical measures and feedback collected in recent discussions with Indigenous colleagues at club level.

Who will attend

The AFL’s General Manager of First Nations Engagement, Taryn Lee, is expected to attend alongside General Manager of Football Greg Swann, head of talent Nicki Couston and head of player movement Justin Reid.

Former Port Adelaide and Hawthorn star Chad Wingard, who earlier this year became the AFL’s first Next Generation Academies manager, will also join the session. Eight clubs have been invited to have representatives, including Carlton chief executive Graham Wright and Adelaide football manager Adam Kelly.

List managers and recruiters have also been called to contribute, with representatives from Richmond, Melbourne, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs, West Coast and Adelaide among those invited. Jess Burger, Collingwood’s AFLW head of football, is also part of the panel.

Confirmed invitees and panel members

• Greg Swann (AFL)
• Taryn Lee (AFL)
• Justin Reid (AFL)
• Nicki Couston (AFL)
• Chad Wingard (AFL)
• Jack Stephens (AFL)
• Tim Murphy (AFL)
• Shane Edwards (Adelaide)
• Adam Kelly (Adelaide)
• Graham Wright (Carlton)
• Jess Burger (Collingwood)
• Tim Lamb (Melbourne)
• Blair Hartley (Richmond)
• Graeme Allan (St Kilda)
• Adam Shepard (West Coast)
• Michael Regan (Western Bulldogs)

In addition, list managers from Richmond (Blair Hartley), Melbourne (Tim Lamb), St Kilda (Graeme Allan) and Western Bulldogs (Michael Regan), as well as West Coast recruiter Adam Shepard and Crows recruiter and ex-Richmond champion Shane Edwards, have been invited.

Club representatives are understood to have engaged their Indigenous colleagues for feedback and proposals ahead of the meeting.

Objectives and approaches

The AFL has signalled a multi-pronged approach aimed at rebuilding and then growing Indigenous representation on lists and in roles across the game. The meeting’s agenda is expected to consider next steps on the league’s stated priorities, including:

• Implementing new targets to increase the number of Indigenous AFL and AFLW players by 2030
• Exploring a dedicated list spot to grow Indigenous participation on club lists
• Strengthening retention pathways following an off-season of notable departures
• Increasing employment for First Nations people across the AFL industry
• Incorporating feedback gathered by club representatives from Indigenous colleagues

The AFL’s Next Generation Academies and broader talent pathways are also in focus, given Chad Wingard’s appointment earlier this year as the league’s first Next Generation Academies manager and his inclusion in the meeting.