The AFL is taking steps to increase numbers of First Nations players across both the men's league and the AFLW.
This season, the AFL men's league drafted nine new First Nations players but lost 11 to retirement, leaving the total number at 62 players - the lowest it's been since 2006.
In a statement published by The Age this morning, AFL's general manager of First Nations engagement, Taryn Lee says “We will work with clubs to better understand what other incentives will be meaningful and aligned to KPIs”.
This information comes alongside league research that shows that, on average, First Nations players' careers last one season less than other players', across both the AFLW and the men's league.
However, data from local football clubs does suggest that First Nations' participation across Australia is increasing, with the number of players rising from 33,573 in 2023 (6.4 per cent) to 42,738 in 2025 (6.8 per cent).
In response to this data, the AFL has launched a new First Nations Strategy, authored by Taryn Lee, with the goal of increasing the number of indigenous players at the top level of the game to just under 10 per cent by 2030. The league also intends to increase employment for First Nations people "across all levels of the industry" and reduce experiences of racism and discrimination.
The men's league did have First Nations' players at over 10 per cent in 2020, but the numbers have since dipped, with Covid, budget cuts and inadequate pathway programs all being cited as reasons.
"We have a significant challenge around retention, with more players leaving the system than entering," Lee said.
"Our focus is to better understand player experiences and club environments to support retention."
