Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
For GWS star Toby Bedford giving up on western Sydney would be giving up on nurturing young Indigenous talent.
Amid an alarming decline in the number of Indigenous players at AFL level, Bedford is urging patience with the club’s growth in rugby league heartland.
The Western Sydney region is home to one of the largest urban populations of Indigenous people.
Nearly 55,000 identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, according to the latest census from 2021.
Many in the football industry have questioned the viability of the Giants’ existence in the region this year amid concerns over youth participation, but Bedford is adamant there is future AFL talent waiting to be nurtured.
There are 62 First Nations players on AFL club lists in 2026 – a drop from the record 87 in 2020.
To aid Indigenous growth in the game, the AFL has also launched a First Nations Impact Fund with about $300,000 to be invested annually in partnership with clubs.
“It’s just trying to tap into that (population) and trying to get more Indigenous players away from rugby league and then into AFL,” Bedford said on Tuesday.
“There’s a lot of talent here, and we know that a lot of Indigenous players, we’re – this is going to sound crazy – just gifted in AFL and when it comes to sport as well.
“It’s going to take some time, but slowly we’re getting there.
“I’ve gone out and seen the NSW U16s and 14s Indigenous players, and they’re slowly getting better and better.
“Slowly, we’ll knock down those doors, and hopefully we’ll get a few more AFL players out of it.”
Bedford, a proud Bunuba man from the Kimberley, stressed the importance of remaining curious after this week’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round matches.
“We speak about growing numbers in AFL, and it’s probably something we really want as players and as a whole community,” Bedford said.
“If people understand our culture and understand our struggles a bit more, the easier that will be.
“I urge everyone to continue asking after this round.
“The majority of people are willing to share as long as you ask questions.”
GWS, sitting 13th (4-6), return home licking their wounds after a shock 17-point loss to West Coast.
Reigning premiers and seventh-placed Brisbane (6-4) are up next, with the Giants hoping to build momentum before their round-13 bye.
“We’re confident that we’re still a chance to win the grand final,” Bedford said.
