Jade Gresham is the only Indigenous player available for the showcase Dreamtime at the ‚G clash, highlighting the issue of their declining numbers in the AFL.
Rhyan Mansell and Maurice Rioli are on Richmond’s extensive injury list. Essendon dropped Gresham for last week’s loss to GWS, but he kicked four goals in the VFL.
The Dreamtime at the ‚G clash, which will be played the weekend after next, is the centrepiece of the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round.
Dreamtime has featured at least one Indigenous player since it started in 2005. For many years until his 2022 retirement, Richmond’s three-time premiership great Shane Edwards could be relied on to maintain the streak.
„I was speaking to ‚Mans‘ before – he’s not playing, and I’m the only Indigenous player at Essendon, so I have to pull my weight and hopefully get a game next week,“ Gresham told AAP at the Melbourne launch of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
„It’s out of my control – the clubs will put on a good show, it’s such a special round.
„It’s one of my favourite games of the year … it’s something I came to a lot as a kid.“
At this year’s round launch, league chief executive Andrew Dillon outlined several initiatives to boost the numbers of AFL and AFLW Indigenous players.
„Since I started 11 years ago, there’s been a massive drop in Indigenous players, every year,“ Gresham said.
„It’s good to see ‚Dills‘ come out and say that he knows we need to improve that.
„There’s a lot of talent in the Indigenous space that we need to tap into.“
Gresham joined Essendon from St Kilda three years ago, meaning he has been able to play in blockbusters such as Dreamtime and Anzac Day.
„They’re massive games, but Dreamtime is very special for me,“ he said.
„It’s an opportunity to run out and represent your people, your culture.
„It’s much more than footy. It’s something I pencil in every year.
„Playing at Essendon, you get the joy of being part of some big games, which is nice.“
A noticeable feature of this week’s round launch was the ease with which all the Indigenous players from various clubs mix with each other.
Gresham agreed, adding it is no accident.
„It’s massive – our culture is all about connection, a brotherhood. Every time you catch up with all the boys, you’re always smiling and happy,“ he said.
„It doesn’t matter if you’ve met them for the first time or the 10th time, you always have that connection.“