Indigenous All Stars head coach Xavier Clarke has outlined his main tactic for the side's much-anticipated clash with Fremantle.
A decade on from the last appearance of the All Stars side, the former Lion and Saint - now North assistant - said on Monday: "Let the boys play, I think. That's probably it. Just win the ball back and go for it."
The 31-man squad at his disposal was confirmed earlier on Monday, featuring players from 16 of the competition's 18 clubs with club best-and-fairest winners, All Australians, premiership and Norm Smith medals amongst them.
His skipper at the Kangaroos Jy Simpkin is set to pull on the jumper.
"It's been a long wait," Simpkin said at Arden Street.
"As a kid, you grow up watching these games. Watching guys like Cyril Rioli, Buddy Franklin, Adam Goodes, playing these games…that's something you always want to do. Last time I think I played with a group of brothers was probably in under 16s for the Flying Boomerangs, so nearly 10 years ago."
Clarke was in charge at the Boomerangs all those years ago, the coach said.
The pair agreed it was a special occasion, for the players and wider community to see return and hopefully appear on a more regular basis.
"Us as Indigenous players across the AFL (we) love playing it…for the wider community, young young footballers coming through, It's something so special for all communities," Simpkin said.
Clarke added he'll be trying to make sure "it's really meaningful for the players that are out there representing not only their families and their footy clubs, but themselves individually".
"I think if it becomes a regular fixture in the AFL fixture, whether it's every year, every second year, every third or fourth. I think that's a discussion that will be worth having," he said.
Clarke added it was pleasing to see the game scheduled on the "big stage" at Optus Stadium, and to get the support of clubs making players available to represent the side at preseason preparations ramp up.
As a coach, he said it also serves as a good opportunity within personal aspirations to be a club head coach in the future.
Clake is joined by an all-Indigenous assistant group for the match, including premiership Hawk Chance Bateman, former Saints tall Jarrod Lienert, Port Adelaide development coach Jason Williams and the Dockers' NGA and game development coach Roger Hayden.
He hopes there's more Indigenous coaches at the highest level in future.
"I'd love to see more players that do step out of the game come into coaching. But like said, it's not for everyone as well. It is different to playing, but I think hopefully we'll see more in the future."
Speaking separately, Simpkin said, while he hasn't looked into it too much at this point in his career, wouldn't rule out going down that path post-playing.
"I'm definitely into coaching and helping younger guys already across the team."
In 2024, 71 First Nations male players were on AFL lists across all clubs.
