Lance Franklin has called on the AFL to do more to support First Nations players, warning that Indigenous participation is slipping and must be addressed with urgency.
The eight-time All-Australian and proud Noongar man said while the AFL had made progress, it needed to continue investing in pathways and support systems that ensured Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players not only entered the game, but felt like they belonged in it.
“I think the AFL’s incredible with what they do with the Indigenous players,” Franklin said.
“And I think we’ve got to continue to wrap our arms around all the Aboriginals across Australia and continue to grow the game because obviously the participation has gone down.
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“But how exciting are they, really? To be honest with you, they’re some of the best players in Australia, so we want to continue to get grassroots all the way through and get as many Aboriginal players playing our great game.”
New programs offer a pathway, but more is needed
The number of Indigenous players in the AFL has dropped from 87 in 2020 to just 62 at the start of this season. Draft concessions, additional list spots and further investment in community pathways have all been floated as possible solutions.
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Franklin, now an ambassador for the AFL’s Superkick program, a modified, non-contact version of the sport for kids aged seven to 12, has seen firsthand how the game can grow in areas where it hasn’t traditionally dominated.
“When I first got to Sydney, the participation was probably a little bit down, and it is growing,” he said.
“The Academy, the Swans and GWS Academies, play huge parts in the growth of the game. I think in Queensland, that can still continue to grow, and there’s no doubt it will.”
More than 23,000 kids are now signed up to Superkick, with New South Wales accounting for over 28 per cent of that total.
Still, Franklin believes ensuring cultural safety and genuine support for Indigenous talent is what will ultimately shape the future of the game.