The AFL has announced the re-introduction of an All-Stars game in 2025, with an Indigenous representative side set to face Fremantle at Optus Stadium in February.
The exhibition match will take place on Saturday, February 15 and could see every single club represented.
A 30-player squad is expected to be named closer to the game, with the players selected likely to miss one of their two pre-season games for their AFL clubs.
Fremantle players will be eligible to play for the Indigenous team, with Dockers stars Alex Pearce, Shai Bolton and Michael Walters potentially taking on their teammates in the exhibition game.
The last time the Indigenous All-Stars played a game was against West Coast in 2015. It was previously a regular in the pre-season fixture with a game every two years.
The AFL had attempted to revive the concept in recent years, only for it to fall over.
This comes as the league attempted to get off the ground an Indigenous versus Multicultural All-Star game in 2024.
The league has now turned to utilising Fremantle as one of the sides competing in the exhibition game.
โAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have a remarkable history in our game and the All Stars team builds on this legacy that I am thrilled to see will return to the field in 2025,โ the AFL's social policy and inclusion boss Tanya Hosch said.
โThis game also serves as a powerful opportunity to highlight Indigenous player excellence, unite, reflect, and reinforce our shared commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples place and broader inclusion within the game of Aussie rules footy.
โIt will not only be a celebration of Indigenous cultures and place in the game, but the outstanding contributions Indigenous players continue to make to our sport and will also serve as aspiration for young Indigenous players and communities into the future.
โIt will have been 10 years since the last Indigenous All Stars game was played and the current crop of champions are ready to carry on the legacy of our recent greats like Franklin, Rioli, Farmer, Betts and O'Loughlin.
โIt will also be more than 80 years since the historic 1944 game during World War two between an all-Aboriginal team and a combined SANFL team at the Adelaide Oval to raise funds to support soldiers during the war.
โThis first combined team celebrated being able to come together and Indigenous players relish the chance to take the field together, celebrate their rich cultural heritage and showcase their incredible skills.
โI would also like to thank Toyota for their ongoing support of the AFL and particularly the work they are doing to support and champion Indigenous and Multicultural peoples in footy.โ
Fremantle will wear their inaugural Indigenous jumper which was designed by former player Roger Hayden and Dr. Richard Walley over a decade ago.
