AFL circles in on Indigenous All-Stars showcase, modern great tipped to lead the side

Jarred Cross Published December 2, 2022 at 10.00am (AWST)

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image: Richmond FC Facebook

The return of an AFL Indigenous All-Stars side is on the horizon for the 2023 season, reportedly set to feature in a curtain-raiser match against a multicultural world team.

On Thursday Seven reported the AFL had discussed introducing the new pre-season exhibition game at this week's AFL/AFLPA Indigenous and Multicultural Player Summit.

Lance Franklin is tipped to lead the Indigenous side.

The competition's deadliest talent have previously lined up together a number of times since 2000.

In 2013 an All-Indigenous outfit toured Ireland for a string of contests in the then-regular International Rules series.

On home soil a similar line-up took on West Coast in 2015 and AFLX once featured a 'Deadly' team for their pre-season showcases.

Although not a new idea, it does present a new shift to match the NRL's Indigenous and Maori All-stars pre-season showcase which has been a constant fixture since 2010.

The AFL and AFLPA's Indigenous and Multicultural Player Summit has taken to Geelong this week to cultivate cultural celebration and player-led support programs.

The forum also provides opportunities for male and female players to discuss matters concerning them within the footy landscape.

The summit returns after a three-year wait.

AFL/AFLPA Indigenous and Multicultural Player Summit 2022. image: Tamati Smith/AFL Photos

"The AFL Players Summit has been the pinnacle of the AFL's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs for many years, and we're delighted to be able to extend this opportunity to include AFLW players and players from Multicultural backgrounds for the first time," AFL executive general manager of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch said.

"After postponing last year's Summit due to the global pandemic, we're looking forward to reconnecting with the players and key members of the football industry to understand how the AFL can improve the experience of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally diverse footballers from across the game and the broader industry.

"We are here to listen and learn from the players so that the AFL can continue to do the important work on ensuring the game is more respectful and inclusive for all."

In 2022, 10 percent of AFL players and four percent of AFLW players identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with a slightly larger cohort coming from multicultural backgrounds.