Embracing Dreams: The Significance of the Indigenous All-Stars Clash

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The Indigenous All-Stars are back for the first time since 2015 in a move that will hopefully inspire the next generation and see participation in the game rise once more.

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The All-Stars head west to take on Fremantle on Saturday night in an exhibition match which will showcase the game’s best Indigenous talent.

Former Hawthorn and Port Adelaide champion Shaun Burgoyne says the return of the All-Stars is crucial for the promotion of the sport amongst Indigenous communities.

“I think it’s really important for players to be able to represent their people and culture,” he told foxfooty.com.au.

“The game brings people from all cultures and all communities, whether it’s from within Australia or people who come from different countries,” he continued.

“For Indigenous Australians, footy is the number one code. For young boys and girls to see their idols play in a game, play together, it gives them more ambition to chase their dreams and its really good promotion for the game as well.”

Burgoyne, who is a new addition to the Fox Footy commentary team in 2025, is one of the competition’s most decorated players, winning four premierships while featuring in 407 matches across his career.

Burgoyne has been a stalwart of the Indigenous All-Stars across his career, captaining the side in his last appearance which saw him claim the Polly Farmer Medal for best on ground in the 2015 clash against the West Coast Eagles.

He said he was “pretty excited” for the game to return for the first time in nine years.

“It’s something I always look forward to and I always put my hand up as a player,” Burgoyne said.

Indigenous participation numbers have been declining in recent years, but Burgoyne hopes the game will inspire the next generation to get involved.

“It’s a great showcase of talent and hard work, but I do think there’s obviously something bubbling along under the surface and numbers in the game are dropping off for Indigenous players,” he said.

“I’m sure the AFL would be looking into reasons why Indigenous numbers are dropping off coming into the game, it seems to be there’s a lot more retiring or leaving. So that’ll be in the works, but I do think games like this can showcase Indigenous talent and hopefully inspire the younger generation to chase their dreams.

“Whether they’re in New South Wales or Queensland or Western Australia, chase their dreams and be like their idol, it’s really good promotion.”

Burgoyne said the opportunity to mix with some of the best players in the competition during these All-Stars matches was such an eye-opening experience.

The likes of Andrew McLeod, Michael O’Loughlin and Chris Johnson all featured at different stages and Burgoyne says he learned lots from being able to pick their brains.

“It was really, really good. I enjoyed coming together with other players across the league. In my AFL career I had a chance to do that a couple of times with the International Rules series against Ireland and I loved that, mixing with the best players in the game,” he said.

“It’s unbelievable, you get to come together, you get to mix with the other best players, and you get to pick their brains and chat about footy.

“What are you doing off-field here, what you’re doing off-field there and chat about those sorts of things and take those conversations back with you and reassess what you’re doing and whether you can tweak things.

“It’s a great way to improve yourself because you’re mixing with some of the best.”

This year, the All-Stars head to Optus Stadium in Perth to take on the Fremantle Dockers.

As a part of the game, players will spend time hosting clinics in the west, promoting the game even more.

“It’s exciting to kick the season off and they’ve done really well promoting the game,” Burgoyne said.

“We’re expecting a big crowd at Optus Stadium, the players will fly in on the Thursday and the AFLW players will come in as well.

“They’ll do a couple of coaching clinics throughout the day on Friday, which if you think about footy, normally kids in the community and at footy clubs get one or two players from one club, but they’re going to be getting players from all clubs coming out to the clinics.”

Fremantle skipper Alex Pearce – who was set to play for the All-Stars – has been ruled out of the game, but the All-Stars are stacked with talent.

Fremantle veteran Michael Walters will captain the All-Stars, while Brisbane Lions premiership duo Charlie Cameron and Callum Ah Chee will also feature.

Shai Bolton, Jason Horne-Francis, Izak Rankine, Kysaiah Pickett and Brad and Bobby Hill are also slated to take part in the clash.

After starring on-field across his career, Burgoyne cannot wait to broadcast the match with Fox Footy.

“It was really good to get over there as a player, now some years later coming back as a spectator and commentator,” he said.

“It’s really exciting. The game is live and exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo Sports.

“These games predominantly haven’t been televised in the past, so Fox Footy obviously saw a great opportunity to promote the game, expose the game to the community and it’s going to be good.

“Hopefully it is not too hot when I’m sitting boundary-side at Optus Stadium!”

The match begins at 7:30pm AEDT ON Saturday February 15 and is live and exclusive to Fox Footy and Kayo Sports.