Growing up, Sir Doug Nicholls Round was Carlton draftee Jack Ison's favourite time of the footy season.

The Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta man donned the Blues Indigenous jumper, designed by Larrakia artist Cian McCue, at the launch for the two weeks of the AFL's annual celebration of First Nations players, people and culture.

Ison was joined Indigenous stars of the competition, league executives, and icons of years and generations gone by at the launch.

There, the AFL announced its First Nations Fund to support increased representation in the men's and women's competition, with chief executive Andrew Dillon admitting there's "work to do".

Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls was an early trailblazer for First Peoples at the elite level, reaching 50 games with Fitzroy in the 1930s.

The 2026 honouree for the round is Northern Territory footy legend, Indigenous Team of the Century member, Lions Hall of Fame member and All Australian Michael 'Magic' McLean.

Humbled by the honour, McLean says he's 'envious' of today's players' opportunity to play in the annual fortnight of recognition.

The impact of the occasion extends to supporters, as a time for education and connection between the game's Indigenous representation.

"It's not lost on me that there's been way better players than me. I still believe that I can mix it with most and I'm really proud of the work I've done off the field as well as on the field," Magic told National Indigenous Times at Monday's launch.

"Yeah, it's special.

"I get a little bit jealous when I see the boys mixing one I wish I had the money they were getting they're all getting now. But this opportunity is just enormous for us."

Declining numbers of Indigenous players has prompted serious conversation in recent seasons.

From an all-time high two decades ago (81 players), the representation has fallen into the low 60s in 2026.

The AFL has initiated a First Nations Strategy with KPIs to address this, alongside seeing a uptick in employment and high level roles across all levels of football, and reducing experiences of racism in the game.

Focus is to increase the number of Indigenous players to 81 AFL and 29 AFLW players by 2030.

"It's something that we're certainly aware of. And the plan for me, it's about providing opportunity...looking at investment in the talent programs is really important for us. We're looking at different list mechanisms potentially as well," AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon told reporters at the launch.

"But ultimately, it's about investing in grassroots and getting more boys and girls playing, and then making sure there's opportunities at the talent level.

And then when the players are then drafted, making sure that First Nations players are staying in the game as long as others. So there's plenty of work to do."

Rumours of a dedicated list spot at clubs for a First Nations player have also risen in recent weeks.

It's something the league are looking at, Dillon said, though players in the "pipeline" are the major focus.

"We know the talents there... it's just making for the opportunity is there."

The AFL also announced a First Nations impact fund with an estimated annual investment of around $300,000, also reinvesting Sir Doug Nicholls Round revenue, for growth and engagement of First Peoples.

Clubs are set to apply for funding out of the grant, with mandate for funding to focus on the First Nations Strategy.

"The AFL First Nations Impact Fund is about strengthening how we work together with clubs to deliver meaningful outcomes aligned to our First Nations Strategy. By partnering with clubs and reinvesting royalties from Sir Doug Nicholls Round merchandise, we are directly investing in the future of First Nations participation in our game," AFL General Manager First Nations Engagement and Inclusion Taryn Lee said.

"Clubs are crucial to this work. Through strong partnerships, we can deliver targeted initiatives that not only grow First Nations participation, but strengthen connection to culture and community, and create more supported pathways into our game," Lee added.

In future, the idea is for the league to fund the grant with its partners.

Current Indigenous players highlighted what Sir Doug Nicholls Round means to community.

"It means a lot for me and my family to be representing our culture on the main stage of the biggest sport in Australia," Bunuba man and GWS Giant Toby Bedford told National Indigenous Times.

Bedford hopes it plays a part, as well as players as examples, in inspiring Indigenous kids around the country; particularly in remote communities.

Ideally, this can increase representation in the game to come, Bedford added.

It's Ison's first Sir Doug NIcholls Round.

"It's such a special round for so many people, just sharing culture and for non-Indigenous Australians to learn a bit about our cultures," Ison said.

"When I was a kid this was my favourite round of the year, every year. I used to love coming down to the Dreamtime match. I'm sure for all the mob and all the kids back in the communities it's a very special round."

Six clubs will adopt traditional place and local language names for the Round again in 2026.

St Kilda (Euro-Yroke), Melbourne (Narrm), Port Adelaide (Yartapuulti), Adelaide (Kuwarna), Fremantle (Walyalup) and West Coast (Waalitj Marawar).

Peek and Kirrae Whurrong woman Bayley Mifsud, Aboriginal name Merindah-Gunya, has produced the art to feature on the Sherrins (Markgrooks) to be used throughout the two weeks and in 2027.

Her mural inside Marvel Stadium will also remain for two years for thousands upon thousands to witness each match.