Indigenous AFL greats Michael Long and Stephen Michael have called on the league and clubs to take stronger action in nurturing and promoting First Nations talent, as the number of Indigenous players at the elite level continues to decline.
While there were 87 Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander players on AFL lists in 2020, that figure has steadily dropped to just 62 in 2025. At the most recent national draft, only one Indigenous player—Hawthorn’s Cody Anderson—was selected. Malakai Champion and Ricky Mentha were added later as Category B rookies by West Coast and Melbourne.
Long, a former Essendon star, has recently met with several AFL clubs to discuss strategies for better supporting First Nations athletes and providing the resources necessary to help them succeed.
Speaking at the launch of this year’s “Dreamtime at the ‘G” event, Long expressed hope that Sir Doug Nicholls Round would highlight the declining presence of Indigenous players and spark action to reverse the trend.
“There’s a lot that clubs can do—not just the AFL,” Long said. “Football is played all over the country, including remote areas. We all have a role to play.”
Long said discussions with clubs in Adelaide focused on collaboration and increased support to ensure more opportunities are available for Indigenous youth, both boys and girls.
It also came to light that former Essendon recruiter Adrian Dodoro had proposed a rule in 2021 requiring each club to draft at least one Indigenous player annually, but the idea was not adopted.
Long said he had anticipated the drop in Indigenous representation, citing both on- and off-field challenges as contributing factors.
“I saw this coming a few years ago,” he said. “Things aren’t perfect, but we want improvement. Past players are invested in this. This week is a chance to celebrate, but also to have those important discussions.”
Long emphasized that change must start at the top, with the AFL leading efforts to build clear and supported pathways.
Stephen Michael, this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round honoree and a legend of South Fremantle, echoed Long’s sentiments, stressing the need for a united, game-wide approach to better support Indigenous talent.
“Everyone has to contribute, from the top levels down to grassroots,” Michael said.
The marquee event of Sir Doug Nicholls Round, the “Dreamtime at the ‘G” match between Essendon and Richmond, will take place Friday night for the 21st time.
One of the most memorable moments in the game’s history occurred in 2022, when eight Richmond players performed a stirring pre-game war dance, including Shai Bolton, Daniel Rioli, Shane Edwards, and Maurice Rioli Jr.
This year, only a small number of Indigenous players may take the field. Richmond’s Rhyan Mansell is expected to play, and Essendon’s Jade Gresham has been cleared after injury.
Gresham acknowledged the decline in Indigenous representation but emphasized the abundance of talent in the community.
“Indigenous numbers have dropped recently, but there’s still so much talent out there,” he said. “We’ve all got to find ways to support that. The clubs are getting better, but there’s still a long way to go.”
