Koby Stevens: AFL's 200th indigenous player?

[Ron The Bear]

Entirely unofficial, however I believe Koby Stevens became the VFL/AFL's 200th Aboriginal player in debuting for West Coast yesterday. The figure is based on a manually-updated version of this list of players.

It's instructive to chart the participation levels of indigenous players at the top level. The following table lists the total number of players, number of aboriginal players, total number of individual matches played and total number of individual matches by Aboriginals for each season since 1982. I've chosen that year as a starting point since it heralded the arrival of great players in the Krakouer brother and Maurice Rioli, who created a sensation and helped pave the way for others to follow.

Prior to 1982
Players: 9292
Aboriginals: 27
Total matches: 338,276
Aboriginal matches: 1,109
Aboriginal participation: 0.3%

Year Ply AP Gmes AGm AGms%
--------------------------
1982 442 .6 5520 .93 .1.7%
1983 452 .8 5520 113 .2.0%
1984 449 11 5520 111 .2.0%
1985 450 .8 5520 151 .2.7%
1986 458 .7 5520 .97 .1.8%
1987 525 12 6400 177 .2.8%
1988 521 14 6400 199 .3.1%
1989 528 16 6400 160 .2.5%
1990 538 17 6440 228 .3.5%
1991 564 21 6880 224 .3.3%
1992 552 19 6880 263 .3.8%
1993 533 16 6280 225 .3.6%
1994 529 26 7308 367 .5.0%
1995 570 31 7770 414 .5.3%
1996 573 35 7779 466 .6.0%
1997 576 37 7770 515 .6.6%
1998 582 36 8140 477 .5.9%
1999 576 40 8140 597 .7.3%
2000 577 43 8140 559 .6.9%
2001 560 39 8140 524 .6.4%
2002 547 39 8140 606 .7.4%
2003 543 38 8140 678 .8.3%
2004 555 42 8140 726 .8.9%
2005 566 48 8140 753 .9.3%
2006 571 52 8140 729 .9.0%
2007 570 61 8140 786 .9.7%
2008 574 59 8140 851 10.5%
2009 575 67 8140 920 11.3%
2010 527 61 4444 473 10.6%

Football's come a long way since Doug Nicholls was forced to leave Carlton without playing a game due to racial discrimination. With the AFL preparing to further dilute its talent pool by adding two new teams, it is now dependent on the continued influx of Aboriginal talent to keep standards high. This perhaps explains its sensitivity towards recent comments made by Mal Brown and Dipper, but that's a separate issue.

 

[Beacon29]

Sure he's indigenous?

 

[Ron The Bear]

Sure he's indigenous?

Wouldn't have realised if he hadn't been on this list.

http://www.afl.com.au/development/q...heafl/currentplayers/tabid/14139/default.aspx

 

[anti_]

haha didnt even realise.

funny that the most un-aboriginal looking bloke was 200th to make his debut.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

He's part indigenous?

Are you sure, im pretty sure Andrew Strijk is part indigenous and he isn't listed?

 

[Beacon29]

Strijk isnt indenous, pretty sure he's some islander heritage of some description.

 

[Ron The Bear]

haha didnt even realise.

funny that the most un-aboriginal looking bloke was 200th to make his debut.

Yeah, I didn't realise Shane Edwards was Aboriginal until this year.

Full list:

AP# Player                    D.O.B.      Debut   Cb Gms
--------------------------------------------------------
  1 Johnson, Joe            19/01/1883  7/05/1904 Fi  55
  2 Byron, Norm                        13/07/1918 Fi   2
  3 Simmonds, George        16/07/1895 19/07/1924 Me   4
  4 Le Brun, Norm           22/04/1908 18/05/1929 Sy   3
                                                  Es  23
                                                  Co  19
                                                  Ca   5
  5 Nicholls, Doug           9/12/1906 30/04/1932 Fi  54
  6 James, Shadrach         30/11/1917 11/05/1940 Fi  18
  7 Jackson, Eddie          16/03/1925  3/05/1947 Me  84
  8 McDonald younger, Norm  10/12/1925 10/05/1947 Es 128
  9 Johnson, Percy           8/10/1930 14/07/1951 NM  52
 10 Wandin, Jim             28/07/1933 10/05/1952 St  17
 11 Collard, Cyril          20/09/1934 20/04/1957 Ha  13
 12 Stewart, Charlie        19/03/1939 15/04/1961 WB  20
 13 Lee, Graeme             12/07/1939 29/04/1961 St  18
 14 Farmer, Graham          10/03/1935 21/04/1962 Ge 101
 15 Reilly, Elkin            2/04/1939 19/05/1962 Sy  51
 16 Lovett, Ted             15/02/1942 10/06/1963 Fi   9
 17 Cummings, Percy          5/09/1946 18/07/1964 Ha   5
 18 Johnson, Bert            8/06/1939 19/04/1965 NM  31
 19 Peardon, Derek          24/09/1950 31/08/1968 Ri  20
 20 Jackson, Syd J.          1/07/1944  5/04/1969 Ca 136
 21 Cooper, Reuben          14/08/1951 19/07/1969 Sy   2
 22 Cable, Barry            22/09/1943  4/04/1970 NM 115
 23 Muir, Robert B.          8/10/1953 20/07/1974 St  68
 24 Graham, Colin W.        26/01/1958 12/07/1975 Me  35
 25 Clarke, Eric            16/02/1957 26/04/1980 St   6
 26 Taylor, Kevin           15/09/1958 28/03/1981 Sy  14
                                                  Fi   1
 27 Waddell, Rod            23/05/1957  1/08/1981 Ca   5
                                                  Ge  20
 28 Egan, Phil               9/02/1963 20/03/1982 Ri 125
                                                  Me   1
 29 Rioli, Maurice           1/09/1957 20/03/1982 Ri 118
 30 Krakouer, Jim           13/10/1958 27/03/1982 NM 134
                                                  St  13
 31 Krakouer, Phil          15/01/1960 27/03/1982 NM 141
                                                  WB   7
 32 Lovett, Wally           15/12/1961  3/04/1982 Co  15
                                                  Ri  13
 33 Bamblett, Les            5/08/1963 26/03/1983 Me  11
                                                  WB  37
 34 McLean, Michael          3/03/1965 13/06/1983 WB  95
                                                  Br  88
 35 Narkle, Phil            29/01/1961 31/03/1984 St  48
                                                  WC  18
 36 McAdam, Greg            18/02/1961 30/03/1985 St  10
 37 Winmar, Nicky           25/09/1965 28/03/1987 St 230
                                                  WB  21
 38 Lewis, Chris            17/03/1969 29/03/1987 WC 215
 39 Matera, Wally            9/09/1963 29/03/1987 WC  24
                                                  Fi  32
 40 Mitchell, Michael       25/11/1961 29/03/1987 Ri  81
 41 Jeffrey, Russell         6/02/1966 27/06/1987 St  42
                                                  Br   8
 42 Jones, Bob              22/10/1961  4/04/1988 St  20
 43 Ugle, Troy              18/04/1968  8/04/1988 WC  43
 44 Lovell, Andy            28/07/1970 16/04/1988 Me 121
                                                  WC  43
 45 Caton, Kevin             5/10/1965 31/07/1988 WC   1
                                                  Fi   9
                                                  Br   8
 46 Long, Michael            1/10/1969 31/03/1989 Es 190
 47 Kickett, Derek           6/10/1962  7/05/1989 NM  12
                                                  Es  77
                                                  Sy  63
 48 Cable, Shane            21/02/1970 16/06/1989 WC   1
 49 Krakouer, Andrew L.      9/07/1971 29/07/1989 NM   8
 50 Kickett, Dale            4/05/1968 31/03/1990 Fi  15
                                                  WC   2
                                                  St  21
                                                  Es   8
                                                  Fr 135
 51 Matera, Peter            3/04/1969  1/04/1990 WC 253
 52 Cummings, Robert        20/09/1969 21/04/1990 Fi   1
 53 Hocking, Eddie           6/01/1970 22/03/1991 Ad  11
 54 McAdam, Gilbert         30/03/1967 23/03/1991 St  53
                                                  Br  58
 55 Wanganeen, Gavin        18/06/1973  1/04/1991 Es 127
                                                  PA 173
 56 Stanislaus, Brian       30/07/1971  7/04/1991 Sy   1
 57 Lawson, Jamie            5/10/1971  5/05/1991 Sy  61
 58 Francis, Fabian         24/10/1973 13/07/1991 Me   1
                                                  Br  22
                                                  PA  86
 59 Ahmat, Matthew          27/06/1974 10/08/1991 Br   6
                                                  Sy   2
 60 White, Darryl           12/06/1973 21/03/1992 Br 268
 61 Dick, Willie            16/03/1966 22/03/1992 Es   7
 62 Thorpe, Alan            18/10/1968  2/05/1992 Sy   3
                                                  WB  12
 63 Charles, Sean           18/05/1975 23/05/1992 Me  47
                                                  Ca   1
                                                  St   8
 64 Kerinaiua, Adam         17/06/1974  9/08/1992 Br   3
 65 McAdam, Adrian          12/03/1971 23/04/1993 NM  36
 66 Cummings, Trent         28/12/1973 26/03/1994 Fi  27
                                                  WC   2
 67 Bond, Shane R.           9/07/1975 26/03/1994 WC  34
                                                  PA  57
 68 Cockatoo-Collins, Che    5/03/1975 26/03/1994 Es  85
                                                  PA  75
 69 Bond, Troy              14/07/1973 27/03/1994 Ca  36
                                                  Ad  58
 70 Johnson, Chris L.       30/05/1976  2/04/1994 Fi  59
                                                  Br 205
 71 Williams, Russell       20/01/1974 23/04/1994 Es   3
 72 Tongerie, Shane         10/02/1971 30/04/1994 Ad   4
 73 Campbell, Warren        19/10/1974  7/05/1994 NM  19
 74 Murphy, Justin          24/04/1976  4/06/1994 Ri  12
                                                  Ca 115
                                                  Ge  18
                                                  Es  40
 75 Ross, Lachlan           12/08/1973 26/06/1994 Es   2
 76 Abraham, Winston        29/09/1974  1/04/1995 Fr  38
                                                  NM  72
 77 Chisholm, Scott         28/05/1973  1/04/1995 Fr  63
                                                  Me  18
 78 Dhurrkay, Gary           4/03/1974  1/04/1995 Fr  51
                                                  NM  21
 79 Farmer, Jeff            24/06/1977  1/04/1995 Me 118
                                                  Fr 131
 80 Lewfatt, Shawn          11/03/1977  1/04/1995 Es   3
 81 Bird, Peter             30/01/1976 29/04/1995 Fi  15
 82 O'Loughlin, Michael     20/02/1977 30/04/1995 Sy 303
 83 McLeod, Andrew           4/08/1976  5/05/1995 Ad 339
 84 Wolf, Clinton           18/12/1968 14/05/1995 Fr   4
 85 Blurton, Ashley          5/03/1975  1/07/1995 WC  10
                                                  Ri  14
 86 Ahmat, Robbie           19/07/1977 16/07/1995 Co  25
                                                  Sy  42
 87 Burns, Ronnie           13/03/1973 29/03/1996 Ge 134
                                                  Ad  20
 88 Cockatoo-Collins, David  1/04/1978 29/03/1996 Me   2
 89 Cockatoo-Collins, Donald 1/04/1978 29/03/1996 Me   9
 90 Mitchell, Gavin         28/12/1972 31/03/1996 Fr  36
                                                  St  52
 91 West, Mark               3/04/1973  6/04/1996 WB  16
 92 Matera, Phillip         27/11/1975 21/04/1996 WC 179
 93 Koops, Steven           24/07/1978 26/04/1996 Fr  78
                                                  WB  11
 94 Wirrpanda, David         3/08/1979 27/04/1996 WC 227
 95 Burgoyne, Peter         29/01/1978 29/03/1997 PA 240
 96 Cook, Troy              12/08/1976 11/04/1997 Sy  43
                                                  Fr 150
 97 Pickett, Byron          11/08/1977 11/07/1997 NM 120
                                                  PA  55
                                                  Me  29
 98 Marshall, Neil           6/07/1977 19/07/1997 WC   4
 99 Michael, Clem           16/07/1976 29/03/1998 Fr  43
100 Proctor, Lionel         27/11/1979  1/05/1998 Ri  20
101 Goodes, Adam             8/01/1980 28/03/1999 Sy 264
102 Taylor, Garth           10/07/1980 28/03/1999 Fr  15
103 Rioli, Dean             20/05/1978 10/04/1999 Es 100
104 Bolton, Darren          26/11/1976 10/04/1999 Fr   2
105 Bellotti, Laurie        28/02/1976 11/04/1999 WC  24
106 Murray, Derek           25/03/1980 24/04/1999 PA  23
107 Campbell, Fred          14/12/1979 16/05/1999 Sy   5
                                                  St   7
108 Motlop, Shannon         18/08/1978  6/06/1999 NM  54
                                                  Me  10
109 Headland, Des           21/01/1981 27/06/1999 Br  52
                                                  Fr 113
110 Grover, Antoni          11/03/1980 21/08/1999 Fr 171
111 Davis, Leon             17/06/1981 13/03/2000 Co 195
112 Bateman, Chance         21/06/1981 25/03/2000 Ha 146
113 Rusca, Shannon          20/08/1980 25/03/2000 Br   2
114 Whelan, Matthew         13/11/1979  2/04/2000 Me 150
115 O'Loughlin, Ricky        4/07/1979  8/04/2000 Ad   9
116 Woods, Dion             25/01/1982 31/03/2001 Fr  59
117 Krakouer, Andrew J.      4/02/1983 12/05/2001 Ri 102
118 McGrath, Cory            4/02/1979 26/05/2001 Es  28
                                                  Ca  50
119 Ugle, Keren              7/07/1979 21/07/2001 Fr   4
120 McGrath, Ashley         20/05/1983 19/08/2001 Br 147
121 Simpson, Dwayne         12/02/1981 19/08/2001 Fr   2
122 Motlop, Daniel          16/03/1982 24/08/2001 NM  47
                                                  PA  67
123 Cole, Richard           15/07/1983 28/03/2002 Co  56
                                                  Es   7
124 Johncock, Graham        21/10/1982 31/03/2002 Ad 175
125 Williams, Mark          13/04/1983  1/04/2002 Ha 111
                                                  Es   4
126 Burgoyne, Shaun         21/10/1982 14/04/2002 PA 157
                                                  Ha   6
127 Clarke, Xavier          28/09/1983 14/04/2002 St 105
128 Sampi, Ashley           21/01/1984  6/07/2002 WC  78
129 Hayden, Roger            9/12/1980 13/07/2002 Fr 115
130 Murray, Allan           20/05/1982 10/08/2002 PA   1
                                                  St  15
131 Wells, Daniel            3/02/1985 29/03/2003 NM 142
132 McGrath, Marty          23/02/1984 26/07/2003 Ri   4
133 Davey, Aaron            10/06/1983 27/03/2004 Me 131
134 Lovett-Murray, Nathan   18/11/1982 28/03/2004 Es 108
135 Sansbury, Eddie         26/11/1983 28/03/2004 NM  40
136 Corrie, Anthony         22/06/1984 17/04/2004 Br  53
                                                  Co   3
137 Walker, Andrew          18/05/1986 24/04/2004 Ca  96
138 Faulkner, Cameron       22/05/1984  1/05/2004 WB  18
139 Clarke, Raphael         24/09/1985 23/07/2004 St  65
140 Betts, Eddie            26/11/1986 26/03/2005 Ca 110
141 Franklin, Lance         30/01/1987 27/03/2005 Ha 111
142 Miller, Harry           11/06/1985 27/03/2005 Ha  18
143 Lovett, Andrew          11/11/1982 10/04/2005 Es  88
144 Johnson, Michael        20/10/1984 17/04/2005 Fr  92
145 Tambling, Richard       12/09/1986  1/05/2005 Ri 106
146 Egan, Chris             26/10/1986 15/05/2005 Co  27
147 Pearce, Danyle           7/04/1986 31/07/2005 PA 106
148 Ryder, Patrick          14/03/1988  1/04/2006 Es  86
149 Hooper, Rhan             9/01/1988  8/04/2006 Br  48
                                                  Ha   4
150 Oakley-Nicholls, Jarrad  9/02/1988  6/05/2006 Ri  13
151 Roe, Jason              13/03/1984  7/05/2006 Br  50
152 Dempsey, Courtenay      28/08/1987 14/05/2006 Es  42
153 Stokes, Mathew          22/11/1984 27/05/2006 Ge  76
154 Ware, Elijah            14/04/1983 17/06/2006 PA   2
155 Campbell, Matt          21/01/1987 31/03/2007 NM  54
156 Krakouer, Nathan         5/05/1988 31/03/2007 PA  38
157 Thomas, Lindsay         28/02/1988 31/03/2007 NM  66
158 Davey, Alwyn            15/05/1984  1/04/2007 Es  49
159 Griffin, Jonathon       14/01/1986  1/04/2007 Ad  34
160 Jetta, Leroy             6/07/1988  1/04/2007 Es  34
161 Varcoe, Travis          10/04/1988  7/04/2007 Ge  63
162 Cox, Shannon             7/03/1986 13/04/2007 Co  25
163 Dick, Brad              25/07/1988 13/04/2007 Co  23
164 Edwards, Shane          25/10/1988 20/04/2007 Ri  60
165 Harbrow, Jarrod         18/07/1988 20/04/2007 WB  61
166 Anderson, Joe           24/12/1988 22/04/2007 Ca  17
167 Collard, Clayton         4/12/1988 25/05/2007 Fr   1
168 Lynch, Malcolm          16/03/1988 16/06/2007 WB   2
169 Proud, Albert            6/09/1988 17/06/2007 Br  24
170 Whyman, Djaran          21/08/1983 22/07/2007 NM   3
171 Hill, Josh              19/01/1989 27/07/2007 WB  53
172 Rioli, Cyril            14/07/1989 23/03/2008 Ha  56
173 Stokes, Cameron          2/07/1989 23/03/2008 Ha  20
174 Weetra, Isaac           27/02/1989 23/03/2008 Me   2
175 Wonaeamirri, Austin      2/10/1988  6/04/2008 Me  20
176 Jacky, Jarrhan           5/04/1989 19/04/2008 Ad   3
177 Wellingham, Sharrod      7/07/1988 25/04/2008 Co  38
178 Atkinson, Jarrod        21/02/1985  4/05/2008 Es  17
179 Motlop, Marlon          17/04/1990 23/08/2008 PA   5
180 Garlett, Jeff            3/08/1989 26/03/2009 Ca  20
181 Petrenko, Jared         22/12/1989 28/03/2009 Ad  21
182 Bennell, Jamie           7/06/1990 29/03/2009 Me  27
183 Jetta, Neville          12/02/1990 29/03/2009 Me  19
184 Hill, Stephen            1/05/1990 29/03/2009 Fr  35
185 Thompson, Wade          28/08/1988 12/04/2009 PA   2
186 Cockie, Adam            18/04/1989  2/05/2009 WC   7
187 Sheldon, Sam             8/03/1989  2/05/2009 Br  23
188 Yarran, Chris           19/12/1990  9/05/2009 Ca  16
189 Djerrkura, Nathan       19/09/1988 31/05/2009 Ge   4
190 Stack, Brennan          26/05/1988  5/06/2009 WB  10
191 Walters, Michael         7/01/1991  6/06/2009 Fr   3
192 Garlett, Cruize          6/03/1989 14/06/2009 NM  10
193 Jurrah, Liam            22/09/1988 19/06/2009 Me   9
194 Roberts, Relton          1/03/1986 25/03/2010 Ri   2
195 Peterson, Carl           3/07/1987 27/03/2010 Ha  11
196 Jetta, Lewis             4/05/1989 27/03/2010 Sy  11
197 Armstrong, Tony         29/09/1989 28/03/2010 Ad   5
198 Motlop, Steven          12/03/1991  5/04/2010 Ge   1
199 Taylor, Troy            12/09/1991 18/04/2010 Ri   2
200 Stevens, Koby           18/06/1991 20/06/2010 WC   1

Appreciate any errors or omissions pointed out.

Very probably, there are players of indigenous heritage absent from the list, as in past eras it may not have been convenient for players to identify themselves as such; e.g. Richmond's first great Vic Thorp is suspected by some historians to have been Aboriginal.

 

[smiths]

Lol they must be taking the piss.

 

[SJ]

I have it on pretty good authority that Jimmy Bartel has some indigenous heritage.

 

[100action]

90% sure Paul Medhurst also has some indigenous heritage.

 

[chardonnay]

1982 as the starting point ... just NONSENSE, typical Vic narrow mindedness. DISGRACEFUL !!!!
Admit the VFL was a redneck competition.

 

[Ron The Bear]

1982 as the starting point ... just NONSENSE, typical Vic narrow mindedness. DISGRACEFUL !!!!
Admit the VFL was a redneck competition.

Haha, well some VFL clubs were known for not being predisposed towards Aboriginal players in general.

A lot of those players through the 80's and 90's played for more than one club. Perhaps it says something about the reputation indigenous players once had for "going walkabout", and the extra effort made by clubs nowadays to help them settle.

 

[RogersResults]

haha didnt even realise.

funny that the most un-aboriginal looking bloke was 200th to make his debut.

Definition of indigenous Australian

(Has nothing to do with appearance.)

 

[Rabbit of Caerbannog]

haha didnt even realise.

funny that the most un-aboriginal looking bloke was 200th to make his debut.

Jonathon Griffin.

 

[macnat]

He's part indigenous?

Are you sure, im pretty sure Andrew Strijk is part indigenous and he isn't listed?

Strijk is Dutch/Italian

 

[Supermercado]

Should still be 199, Isaac Weetra was 100% indigenous but labelling him a player is stretching the truth.

 

[Ron The Bear]

Sure he's indigenous?

Apparently Stevens isn't indigenous after all, since his name does not appear in the "Every Known Indigenous Player" table in this year's AFL Record Season Guide. Possibly an admin error on the web page I cited above.

FWIW, going on the official AFL list, Geelong's Steven Motlop was the 200th indigenous player.

 

[CROWS2011]

who cares who was the 200th player all i no is cyril rioli is an absolute gun!

 

[Saint Kidding]

The bloke they have at number 4, Norm Le Brun wasn't indigenous at all.
His mother had a Cape Verdean / Jamaican background and his fathers parents came from Jersey and Scotland.
I think that someone guessed based on the colour of his skin.

 

[blueroy]

List misses Mark Naley

 

[35Daicos]

List misses Mark Naley

If you mean Ron The Bear's list, his updated version of it includes Naley:-

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/aboriginal-statistics.924364/

 

[35Daicos]

According to this article, former Carlton player Cyril Mann belongs on the list of AFL/VFL indigenous players:-
http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2013-05-23/of-cyril-cooper-and-carlton

Cyril Stanley Mann
August 31, 1918 – March 3, 1964
Carlton player no. 548
Career 1939-1942 & 1945
Games 42
Goals 65

He's not shown on the AFL's current list but clearly should be on it.

 

[35Daicos]

This story, regarding Fitzroy player Norm Byron (officially the VFL/AFL's second ever indigenous player) seems to suggest he doesn't belong on the list:-
http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/the-poet-laureate-of-old-fitzroy

"Norm had a dark complexion and everyone knew him affectionately as Darkie. Not a nickname we stomach these days but that’s just how it was back then. Norm didn’t appear to care, mockingly describing himself as a ‘Smoked Irishman’. Fitzroy had a readily identifiable Aboriginal community in those days – Pastor Doug Nicholls had his church in Gore Street – and many presumed Norm was an Aboriginal. Norma Beever, his grand daughter, told me she initially thought her pa’s family were Black American. Later research by the family revealed a mixed West Indian, Irish and English heritage".

This story is rather similar to the Norm Le Brun "situation" - see a few posts above this one. I will send an email to the AFL regarding this, and they can look into it further if they see fit.

 

[RogersResults]

Determining who was 'Aboriginal' in past eras will never be precise. Doug Nicholls in the 1930s and 40s was always identified in contemporary accounts as an Aboriginal partly because his physical appearance was what non-Aboriginals thought an Aboriginal should be and the fact that Nicholls identified himself as Aboriginal.


"Nicholls, of Northcote, will be one of the attractions of the match. He is the only aboriginal in senior football."
Sydney Morning Herald 15/08/1931


"Doug Nicholls the aboriginal wing man, who has played for several seasons with Northcote in the Association has been cleared by that Club to Fitzroy, and received his permit from thc League last night." Sun News-Pictorial 30/4/1932

"DOUG. NICHOLLS A FLYING ABORIGINE
By SPECTATOR

It Is a tribute to Nicholls football personality that a single word of disparagement is never heard from spectators. Not only is he a favourite with them but players of all teams are unstinted in their praise of his manly play on the wing." Argus 21/06/1934

By contrast in the 1950s Essendon's Norm McDonald's ethnicity is not mentioned.

"Norm. McDonald, star Essendon half-back, flew to Tasmania last Saturday to interview officials of a Launceston club. " Argus 10/02/1950

".. the exclusion of Victoria's champion half back flanker, Norm McDonald (Essendon), is bound to cause criticism." Advertiser, Adelaide 15/05/1951


"MINYIP SEEKING ESSENDON PLAYER
Minyip Football Club is reported to have approached Norm McDonald, Essendon half back, to play with the Blues next season. :" Horsham Times 29/09/1953


At the same time as McDonald was playing this appeared in the Australian Women's Weekly 10/06/1950 as a picture caption.
"TED JACKSON, only aboriginal League player (left), swaps experiences after training with Albert Rodda, leading Melbourne player."

Even when 'Polly' Farmer came to Geelong mention was not made of his Aboriginal heritage.

"Perth footballer Graham “Polly” Farmer will return to Perth today.
Farmer talked with Geelong officials at Geelong yesterday and inspected his future accommodation. Age 27/11/1961
Champion West Australian ruckman, Graham (“Polly”) Farmer has been stealing the limelight at Geelong. His marking, handball and palming out to the rovers have been perfect and he will be a real acquisition. Football Record April 21 1962.


Geelong champion follower Graham “Polly” Farmer is resigned to the fact he will not play League football again this season.
Farmer, a former Western Australian champion joined Geelong at the start of this season. Age 26/06/1962


Former champion West Australian and Victorian ruckman Graham “Polly” Farmer has been appointed coach ofg Geelong for 1973. Age Sept. 8 1972.

But in 2009:

It had great players like Graham ''Polly'' Farmer, the Aboriginal ruckman from Western Australia, who arrived at the club in 1962. Age 26/09/2009

In past eras it was often not advantageous to identify as Aboriginal as depending where in Australia you resided, even as a mature adult you could be given the status of 'ward of the state' which put restrictions on where could reside, travel to, whom you could associate with, along with lower wages withheld in 'trust' by officials (often the local policeman) whose permission was required for any spending of the money (if it hadn't been stolen by that official) . Such arrangements existed in parts of Australia into the 1960s. On top of this there was the stigma imposed by 'white' Australia on Aboriginal Australians as being a lower form of humanity. In the British imperial hierarchy of 'races' indigenous Australians were put last. One of the first acts of the Australian Federal Parliament was to dis-enfranchise Aborigines while at the same time allowing New Zealand Maoris resident in Australia to vote. In speaking in favour of the motion to exclude Aborigines from voting, King O'Malley (credited as the 'founder' of Canberra) stated that, "there was no scientific evidence that they are even human beings".

As a consequence many Aboriginals who could 'pass for white' did so and others claimed Indian, Maori and African (including African American and West Indian) ancestry. (Sally Morgan's discovery of her aboriginal ancestry in "My Place" is an informative account of this.) Conversely a number of dark complexioned people were identified as Aboriginal and some without knowledge of their actual ancestry identified themselves as Aboriginal.

No doubt there are more like Carlton's Cyril Mann to be discovered and who is the xxxth will never be definitive - noting that the current definition of Aboriginality is:
"An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which he [or she] lives." http://www.alrc.gov.au/publications/36-kinship-and-identity/legal-definitions-aboriginality

In doing the research for this, the earliest mention of an Aboriginal footballer playing with a non-Aboriginal team was this account of the Mornington (Victoria) Football Club Tragedy in 1892:

FOOTBALL TEAM DROWNED TERRIBLE MORNINGTON TRAGEDY RECALLED
Mr. E. M. '".Goldie" Gabbett, formerly of Mornington, recalled the terrible football tragedy of 1892 ........ Mr. Gabbett also reveals the luck of an aboriginal member of the team, who sailed down by boat, but changed places with another player for the return journey, and came by train. The transfer player was drowned.

Frankston Standard 12/09/1946

 

[Saint Kidding]

Prior to the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, there were a plenty of non-white immigrants to this country. This has been forgotten though, and there was a tendency to assume that Australians with a darker colour to their skin must be of an indigenous background.
There, were for example strong Cape Verdean and Maori communities (lime burners) on the Mornington Peninsula. I wonder whether the surviving "aboriginal" player from the Mornington Football Club was really an indigenous Australian, or whether he was just dark skinned?