Indigenous All-Stars (Australian rules football)

The Indigenous All-Stars (known as for sponsorship reasons Qantas Kickstart Indigenous All-Stars and formerly known as the Aboriginal All-Stars) is an Australian rules football team composed of players that identify as Indigenous Australian or with an indigenous culture.

Not to be confused with Indigenous All Stars (rugby league).

Indigenous All-Stars
Names
Full nameIndigenous All-Stars
Nickname(s)All Stars
Club details
Founded1973
Colours  Black   Red   Gold
Ground(s)Marrara Oval, Darwin (capacity: 15,000)
 Traeger Park, Alice Springs
Other information
Official website

The team has also represented Australia (in 2013) in the International Rules Series.[1] The junior (U18 and U16) side is known as the Flying Boomerangs.

Originally based in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory they have been based in Darwin, Northern Territory since 1993. The AFL promotes the concept as recognition of the indigenous Australians' contribution to the national competition, with approximately one in ten AFL players identifying as an Indigenous Australian.[2] Between 2003 and 2015, the team played a regular biennial pre-season match against an Australian Football League (AFL) club; the only exception being 2011, when the scheduled match was cancelled due to inclement weather. The matches were usually played in the Northern Territory, either at Marrara Oval in Darwin or Traeger Park in Alice Springs.

In recent years, the AFL's support for the concept has waned and the league has been criticised for letting its clubs prevent the All-Stars from selecting its top Indigenous senior players, or for placing restrictions on their game time. Additionally, the competing club side often treats the match as a preseason practice match, such that winning the match is less important than developing young players or building match fitness prior to the regular season. Despite this, the match remains popular with spectators in the Northern Territory. The 2003 match retains the record for the most attended match of any football code in the Northern Territory, with 17,500 in attendance.

The best on ground for the Indigenous All-Stars is awarded the Polly Farmer Medal which is in honour of Graham Farmer.

In 2018, the AFL created an All-Indigenous "All-Star" AFLX 8 player team named "Deadly" captained by Indigenous All-Star Eddie Betts. This team played in the 2019 AFLX tournament winning 1 of its 3 matches. However the AFLX format was widely criticised[3][4] as an unsuitable replacement for Australian rules matches and was soon abandoned.

History
Northcote Football Club's 1929 premiership side. Doug Nicholls is second from right, front row. Nicholls was instrumental in progressing the concept of an All-Aboriginal representative side
2005 Polly Farmer medallist Daniel Wells.
2003, 2007 and 2009 captain Andrew McLeod.
2015 captain Shaun Burgoyne.

All-indigenous sides have been documented as early the turn of the 20th Century[5] and the first representative teams began playing matches after World War II.[6]

Following his career in the VFA Doug Nicholls was instrumental in the concept of an All-Aboriginal representative side. He organised (assembling players mainly from Taree in New South Wales), captained and coached an All-Aboriginal side against the VFA's Northcote Football Club in 1944.[7] Among the aboriginal players was James Murray, Australian Kangaroos rugby league representative. The match drew more than 10,000 spectators.[8]

Nicolls team's matches against the Northcote Football Club became an annual event becoming a regular fixture in 1945 and 1946.[9][10] The match led to a number of similar contests springing up around the country. It played a charity match against VFA club Oakleigh Football Club attracting 2,000 spectators.[11]

One of the first major representative matches was a side's defeat the Australian Capital Territory, one of the strongest sides in the country, at Manuka Oval in Canberra in 1970.[12]

In 1973, a team was assembled from the best indigenous Australians across all states and territories to tour Papua New Guinea and play against the Papua New Guinea team. It was originally also scheduled to play against Nauru's national team. Sir Douglas Nicholls accompanied the side. The Australian side lost narrowly and a return match in Australia was scheduled for an Aboriginal Australian Rules carnival to be hosted by the Australian Capital Territory[13] Papua New Guinea narrowly defeated the Indigenous Australian side at Ainslie Oval.[14][15]

All-Stars take on the VFL

In 1983 the "All-Stars" competed in a once-off post-season exhibition match in Mildura, two games were played in 1985 and another once-off game was played in 1994.

A match between the All-Stars and The Swans was proposed for Canberra in 1984, to be organised by the National Football League[16] but did not go ahead.

All-Stars take on National competition

The 1993 a bi-annual All-Stars vs Collingwood match was proposed.[17]

In 1994 disputes over player releases put the concept into doubt. The St Kilda Football Club refused to release Nicky Winmar and the West Coast Eagles refused to release Chris Lewis to play.[18]

As of 2015, the All-Stars have won six of the ten matches it has played. The record attendance for the match was 17,500, in the 2003 match against Carlton at Marrara Oval.

Uncertain future

The AFL in 2017 committed to holding a match featuring the All-Stars, however reduced its commitment to every four years.[19]

In 2018, the AFL created an All-Indigenous "All-Star" AFLX 8 player team named "Deadly" captained by Indigenous All-Star Eddie Betts. This team played in the 2019 AFLX tournament winning 1 of its 3 matches. However the AFLX format was widely criticised[20][21] as an unsuitable replacement for Australian rules matches and was soon abandoned.

Postponing a proposed 2019 match, the AFL Players' Association's Indigenous members which manage the team decided in 2017 that the match should be scheduled for every 4 years instead of 2.[22]

Sponsorship and naming rights

Until 2005 the All-Stars were sponsored by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, who had naming rights over the team. After the abolition of ATSIC, the team was renamed from Aboriginal All-Stars to Indigenous All-Stars. Since 2006 the team has been sponsored by Qantas through the AFL Kickstart indigenous program.

Results
Matches
Year Date Opponent Result Stadium Captain (vice-captain) Coach Best (Polly Farmer Medal) Crowd
1973 3 October Lae, Papua New Guinea Lae 9.12 (66) def All-Stars 9.8 (62) Lae, Papua New Guinea Ray Rigney Dennis Archee[23]
1973 7 October Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea 17.19 (121) def All-Stars 12.18 (90) Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, Port Moresby Ray Rigney Leo Wanganeen[24] 6,000[25]
1974 6 October Papua New Guinea All-Stars 12.10 (82) def. by Papua New Guinea 13.11 (89) Ainslie Oval, Canberra Ray Rigney Ralph White[26]
1983 1 October Richmond Football Club/Mildura All-Stars 37.11 (233) def Richmond 14.11 (95) Sarah Oval, Mildura Stephen Michael[27] Michael Wanganeen[28] Rex Handy 3,500
1985 16 February Essendon Essendon 13.20 (98) def All-Stars 11.16 (82) Tatura, Victoria Stephen Michael[29] Wilbur Wilson[30] Unknown 6,000
1985 13 September Premier's All Stars Premier's All Stars 23.12 (150) def All-Stars 10.8 (68) MCG Maurice Rioli[31] Syd Jackson[32] Ian Barry 5,333
1994 12 February Collingwood Football Club All-Stars 13.10 (88) def Collingwood 10.8 (68) Marrara Oval, Darwin Michael McLean[33] Maurice Rioli Fabian Francis 15,000
2003 7 February Carlton Football Club All-Stars 19.16 (130) def Carlton 8.9 (57) Marrara Oval, Darwin Andrew McLeod Michael McLean Adam Goodes 17,500
2005 5 February Western Bulldogs All-Stars 12.19 (91) def Western Bulldogs 10.3 (63) Marrara Oval, Darwin Darryl White (Chris Johnson) Michael McLean Daniel Wells 8,500
2007 11 February Essendon Football Club All-Stars 6.7 (43) def by Essendon 14.9 (93) Marrara Oval, Darwin Andrew McLeod Michael McLean Andrew McLeod 13,119
2009 7 February Adelaide Crows All-Stars 14.13 (97) def Adelaide 6.7 (43) Marrara Oval, Darwin Andrew McLeod (Shaun Burgoyne) Chris Johnson Matt Campbell 9,497
2011 4 February Richmond Football Club Match cancelled due to inclement weather N/A Adam Goodes Michael O'Loughlin N/A N/A
2013 8 February Richmond Football Club All-Stars 14.6 (90) def Richmond 6.4 (40)[34] Traeger Park, Alice Springs Nathan Lovett-Murray[35] Michael O'Loughlin Harley Bennell 8,350
2015 20 February West Coast Eagles All-Stars 5.11 (41) def. by West Coast 7.7 (49)[36] Leederville Oval, Perth Shaun Burgoyne (Jarrod Harbrow)[37] Andy Lovell Shaun Burgoyne 10,000

Squads

1973 team

Roger Rigney (SA); Michael Mansell (Tas); Anthony Miller (WA); Brian Warrior (SA); Dennis Lewfat (NT); Patrick Purantatameri (NT); Reg Mathews (QLD); Bill Ellis (NT); John McHenry (WA); Leon Wanganeen (SA); Alec Smith (Vic); John Pepperill (NT); Phillip Archer (SA); Ian Charles (VIC); Robbie Muir (VIC); Ken Liddle (NT); Wilfred Wilson (SA); Tim Agius (SA); Garry Murray (VIC); Paul Hansen (WA); Lloyd Bray (NT)[38]

International Rules

The Indigenous All Stars have also competed in the annual International Rules Series, representing Australia in the hybrid sport which consists elements of Gaelic football and Australian rules football. For the 2013 Series a 33-man squad was chosen, which was reduced to 21-man touring party:

The Indigenous team lost the series 2-0 and by a record 173–72 aggregate point margin.

Polly Farmer Medal

The Polly Farmer Medal is awarded each game to the best Indigenous All-Stars player.

See also

References
  1. Indigenous All Stars to Represent Australia in 2013 International Rules Series
  2. "Official Website of the Australian Football League". Archived from the original on 9 June 2004. Retrieved 18 May 2006.
  3. Jackson Ryan (16 December 2018). "The AFLX Is The Greatest Farce in Professional Sport". Ten Daily.
  4. Alana Schetzer (17 December 2018). "Not even superpowers can give soulless AFLX what it most needs". The Guardian.
  5. Indigenous influence on AFL creation confirmed by historical transcripts, historian says Malcolm Sutton ABC News 13 April 2017
  6. Golden age of Indigenous Aussie Rules in Victoria beckons Patrick Skene for The Guardian 13 November 2014 07.31 AEDT
  7. "ABORIGINAL TEAM TO PLAY AT NORTHCOTE ON MONDAY". The Herald. No. 20, 921. Victoria, Australia. 6 June 1944. p. 10. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "10,000 SEE TEAM OF ABORIGINES". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 30, 512. Victoria, Australia. 13 June 1944. p. 13. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Monday's Sport". Sporting Globe. No. 2398. Victoria, Australia. 16 June 1945. p. 5. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "ABORIGINAL 18 TO MEET NORTHCOTE". The Herald. No. 21, 543. Victoria, Australia. 6 June 1946. p. 20. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Charity Football". The Age. No. 30, 393. Victoria, Australia. 26 September 1952. p. 14. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Aboriginal rules side outclasses ACT". The Canberra Times. Vol. 44, no. 12, 603. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 23 April 1970. p. 34. Retrieved 13 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. Aboriginal carnival in ACT. The Canberra Times 4 October 1974 Page 18
  14. pg.10 The Canberra Times Mon 7 October 1974
  15. PNG defeats Aborigines. The Canberra Times 7 October 1974 Page 10
  16. "AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL VFL side to play in Canberra". The Canberra Times. Vol. 58, no. 17, 646. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 January 1984. p. 46. Retrieved 13 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. "Saturday Magazine". The Canberra Times. Vol. 67, no. 21, 214. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 15 May 1993. p. 1 (SECTION 1). Retrieved 13 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. "Two AFL clubs reject plea to free players". The Canberra Times. Vol. 68, no. 21, 469. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 26 January 1994. p. 34. Retrieved 13 December 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. AFL Indigenous All-Stars match postponed until 2019 as focus turns to AFLPA camp
  20. Jackson Ryan (16 December 2018). "The AFLX Is The Greatest Farce in Professional Sport". Ten Daily.
  21. Alana Schetzer (17 December 2018). "Not even superpowers can give soulless AFLX what it most needs". The Guardian.
  22. AFL Indigenous All-Stars match postponed until 2019 as focus turns to AFLPA camp By Daniel Cherny for The Age 28 January 2017
  23. "Australians beaten by Lae team". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 4 October 1973. p. 28. Retrieved 6 May 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. PNG too good for Aboriginal side in rules match. Papua New Guinea Post-Courier 8 October 1973 Page 22
  25. Good win to PNG in rules game (8 October 1973). Papua New Guinea Post-Courier (Port Moresby : 1969 – 1981), p. 22. Retrieved 24 September 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251224970
  26. PNG defeats Aborigines. The Canberra Times 7 October 1974 Page 10
  27. "Yorke Peninsula Country Times".
  28. "Span stylecolor0000FF1983 vs. Richmond Meet footballs first Aboriginal All-Stars – Aboriginal Football".
  29. https://www.mcc.org.au/_/media/files/mcc/library/2016_05_28_rd10_essvrich_dreamt.pdf?la=en
  30. https://www.mcc.org.au/_/media/files/mcc/library/2016_05_28_rd10_essvrich_dreamt.pdf?la=en
  31. https://www.mcc.org.au/_/media/files/mcc/library/2016_05_28_rd10_essvrich_dreamt.pdf?la=en
  32. https://www.mcc.org.au/_/media/files/mcc/library/2016_05_28_rd10_essvrich_dreamt.pdf?la=en
  33. afl.com.au
  34. Edmund, Sam (9 February 2013). "Embarrassing Richmond no match for indigenous hunger, speed". Herald Sun. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  35. Ryan, Peter (7 February 2013). "Youngers head up All-Stars squad". Australian Football League. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
  36. Malcom, Alex (20 February 2015). "Eagles edge out All Stars as Wellingham, Burgoyne dominate". AFL.com.au. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  37. "2015 Indigenous All Stars Team details". Triple M. 19 February 2015. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  38. "Rules side looks good". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 3 October 1973. p. 36. Retrieved 13 November 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
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