Indigenous All-Stars vs World team, exhibition game, plans, date, players, Lance Franklin, selection

The AFL is reportedly planning a special pre-season exhibition game between an Indigenous All-Stars side and a World team featuring multicultural players.

Seven reported the game had been discussed during the AFL/AFLPA Indigenous and Multicultural Player Summit this week, and would intend to celebrate all cultures.

It is hoped Buddy Franklin would headline the game on the Indigenous side, with February shaping as the most likely timeslot.

Watch Australia v West Indies. Every test match live and ad-break in play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

An Indigenous All-Star team has played on and off across the last few decades, most recently in 2015 against West Coast when captain Shaun Burgoyne won the Polly Farmer Medal as best on ground.

Since then the team has not played though an AFLX team nicknamed Deadly, captained by Eddie Betts, featured in that short-lived format.

A Northern Territory record crowd of 17,500 fans watched an Indigenous All-Stars team led by Andrew McLeod and Adam Goodes thump Carlton in 2003.

“The AFL is on the verge of announcing a game to celebrate all cultures,” Seven’s Mitch Cleary said on Thursday evening.

“It will be played between an Indigenous All-Stars and a World line-up, featuring AFL multicultural players.

“It’s been part of a big thinktank this week at the summit and will be thrashed out further in coming days.

“February appears the most likely slot, on the eve of the season, superstar Lance Franklin the major drawcard ahead of his expected last season.”