The AFL is reportedly taking measures to increase the number of Indigenous players in the competition to 10 per cent.

First reported by The Age on Friday, the league's First Nations strategy includes three key points; to increase the representation of First Nations players in the AFL and AFLW - with a potential dedicated list spot at clubs, increase employment opportunities in the game "across all levels", and decrease experiences of racism and discrimination suffered.

The Age reported they obtained documents from the AFL.

National Indigenous Times has contacted the League for comment.

In 2025, then-AFL executive general manager of social policy and inclusion Tanya Hosch told National Indigenous Times increasing representation of Indigenous players in the competition was a "big priority".

In recent seasons, a continuing decrease on club lists has been highlighted, something Hosch said "does not sit comfortably at all" with the league.

Then-general manager of football, now footy operations boss Laura Kane outlined measures in place and being pursuit 12 months ago, while Hosch added: "We want to make sure that Indigenous players are in the system on average, as long as non-Indigenous players.

"There's many, many factors that we have to look at. It's not as simple as just having the right pathways programs," Hosch said.

There were 86 Indigenous players in the men's competition in 2020, an almost 30 year high including the six years since, with that figure falling by over 20 and two its lowest in two decades.

In the AFLW there is a touch over 20 Indigenous players.

"We have a significant challenge around retention, with more players leaving the system than entering," AFL First Nations Strategy general manager of First Nations engagement and strategy author Taryn Lee said, The Age reports.

"We've got more work to do to understand the reasons for that, and then what we need to do as an industry to start turning it around.

"Our focus is to better understand player experiences and club environments to support retention."

The strategy has reportedly been given to clubs and ticked off by the AFL Commission.

A dedicated list spot at each club for a First Nations player is said to be being considered.

Commitments to pathways for Indigenous footballers have also been outlined in the strategy.

Last year the league announced its 2025-2028 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan for Game Development, with plans for a place-based approach co-designed with Indigenous communities, leaders and groups to create a safe space and more opportunities for First Nations people in the game.