THE AFL industry will celebrate the excellence and contribution of First Nations people to Australian Rules Football over the next fortnight through the 2026 AFLW Indigenous Round.
Held across Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2026 NAB AFLW Season, the round will be underpinned by the AFL’s enduring theme that was launched during Sir Doug Nicholls Round earlier this year: ‘Strengthened by First Nations. Moments. Connections. Stories.’
The opening week of AFLW Indigenous Round (Round 3) will also mark the first time in AFL/AFLW history that a game will be played in every state and territory across Australia within the same round. Matches will be held in Adelaide, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Darwin, Gold Coast, Launceston, Melbourne and Perth.
The round will begin in Tasmania on Saturday, 29 August, with reigning premiers North Melbourne hosting the Western Bulldogs at University of Tasmania Stadium before concluding with the annual Dreamtime match between Essendon and Richmond at TIO Stadium in Darwin on Sunday night. The match will be broadcast live and free across the Seven Network.
The AFL today announced Bronwyn Davey as the 2026 AFLW Indigenous Round honouree, recognising her outstanding contribution to football and her impact on First Nations women and girls.
A proud Kokatha woman, Davey comes from a famous football family, with brothers Aaron and Alwyn both playing AFL for Melbourne and Essendon respectively.
Davey has been a trailblazer for women's football and First Nations representation in the game. An AFLW pioneer, Davey represented Melbourne in the landmark women's exhibition match at the MCG in 2013.
Since retiring from playing, Davey has continued to shape the next generation through coaching, mentoring and community leadership via her work with the Adelaide Crows Indigenous Female Academy and the STARS Foundation.
Following the launch of the AFL First Nations Impact Fund during Sir Doug Nicholls Round earlier this year, the fund will deliver its first initiative in the coming weeks through the inaugural Senior First Nations Player Scholarships. With player applications now closed, recipients across both AFL and AFLW playing cohorts will soon be announced.
Delivered in partnership with AFL clubs, the fund is designed to create greater opportunities for First Nations players, participants and communities through the reinvestment of royalties generated from Sir Doug Nicholls Round and Indigenous Round merchandise.
Executive General Manager of AFLW, Football Operations and Health Laura Kane said:
"The AFL is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for First Nations people across all levels of our game and ensuring their contribution continues to be recognised, celebrated and supported, and the next two weeks will continue to highlight this across the AFLW competition,” Kane said.
“Bronwyn has been a trailblazer for women's football and a powerful role model for First Nations women across the country.
“From helping pave the way for the AFLW competition as a player, to her ongoing work as a mentor, coach and community leader, she has dedicated herself to creating opportunities for others to follow in her footsteps.
“Her story is one of leadership, resilience and giving back, and we are proud to recognise her contribution to our game across the next two weeks.”
AFL General Manager of First Nations and Inclusion Taryn Lee said:
“AFLW Indigenous Round is a special time in the football calendar and provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultures, stories and contributions of First Nations peoples to our game. It is also a chance to recognise and promote the important role of First Nations women across football, and the role the game plays in connecting communities across the country," Lee said.
"It is fitting that during AFLW Indigenous Round we are preparing to announce the inaugural recipients of the Senior First Nations Player Scholarships, the first initiative delivered through the AFL First Nations Impact Fund.
"We have set a goal of 111 First Nations players by 2030 and achieving that requires long term investment and collaboration across the AFL industry. The AFL First Nations Impact Fund is one of many ways we are supporting that ambition with meaningful action and continuing to create opportunities for future generations to thrive in our game."
In 2026, there are 62 AFL and 22 AFLW players who identify as First Nations.
In celebration of AFLW Indigenous Round, all 18 clubs and umpires will wear specially designed uniforms recognising First Nations culture, with six clubs also choosing to adopt an Indigenous language name.
The theme provides an opportunity for the clubs and players to showcase defining moments, people, and stories that celebrate the sporting legacy of First Nations people within the game and beyond, and that the game is stronger when First Nations players are at the heart of it.
The NAB AFL Auskickers will wear specially designed t-shirts when they run onto the ground at half-time. The 2026 Indigenous Round Auskick uniform has been designed by 11-year-old Jed Bennell, a Noongar-Yamatji boy from Western Australia.
