Fremantle's Roger Hayden has been confirmed today by the AFL as part of an all-Indigenous coaching panel for the AFL Indigenous All Stars Team.
The final coaching panel includes Fremantle Male NGA and Game Development Coach Roger Hayden, Port Adelaide Development Coach Jason Williams, North Melbourne Development Coach and Indigenous Player Development Manager Jarrod Lienert and West Coast Eagles First Nations Player Development Manager Chance Bateman, who will join Indigenous All Stars Head Coach, Xavier Clarke (North Melbourne).
Born in Narrogin and raised in Brookton in the state's Southwest, Hayden began his football journey playing juniors in the Avon Districts for Brookton. He participated in the East Fremantle development squads and played in the East Fremantle Colts program in 1998, leading to a premiership that season.
Making his WAFL League debut in 2000 for South Fremantle, Hayden was subsequently drafted to Fremantle’s rookie list that year.
Hayden played 128 games for Fremantle, including six finals appearances, and was named in the 40-man squad for the 2007 All-Australian team. He also featured in the 2007 Indigenous All-Stars team that played Essendon in Darwin.
Hayden went on to coach at the Club as a development coach and backline coach for nine seasons and is now a Next Generation Academy coach. He is also a life member of the Fremantle Football Club, recognised for more than 20 years of service.
Experienced and highly regarded high-performance specialist Darren Burgess (Adelaide Crows) has been appointed as the High-Performance Manager and will work closely with the individual club High Performance Managers in the lead up to the match.
AFL Executive General Manager Social Policy and Inclusion Tanya Hosch said she was thrilled with final coaching appointments.
“It is fantastic to have an all-Indigenous coaching panel join Xavier for this significant match,” said Ms Hosch
“We want to see Indigenous representation increase across the board in football, including within the coaching ranks, so to have an all-Indigenous coaching panel for this game is terrific.”
AFL Executive General Manager Football, Laura Kane, was pleased to finalise a strong coaching panel and staffing group after receiving a strong list of applicants following the expression of interest.
“Since we announced the match, the buy-in from the clubs, players and coaches, has been exceptional and we were inundated with applications for the various roles within the program,” said Ms Kane.
“We are thrilled to appoint these coaches and give them the opportunity to work with Xavier and in turn gain valuable experience in their coaching pathway.
“We are also delighted to have Darren Burgess join a number of highly experienced club staff across a variety of roles.
“Darren’s experience will help ensure this program is run in line with the expectations of the players’ clubs ahead of the start of the Toyota Premiership season.”
“The team that has been announced so far is unbelievable and I know fans are excited to get to Optus Stadium on February 15th.”
Ticket prices start at $10 for a junior under 15, and $35 for an adult, with family tickets (two adults and two juniors) only $70, allowing juniors to attend for free.
Fans can also purchase tickets to a premium offering in the Sports Lounge or Premiership Terrace at Optus Stadium along with the option to purchase premium food and beverages. Tickets start from $20 for juniors and $110 for families (two adults and two juniors).
The 2025 Toyota AFL Indigenous All Stars match will take place on Saturday, 15 February 2025 at Optus Stadium in Perth, with the Indigenous All Stars taking on Fremantle as part of the AFL pre-season fixture.
For tickets and more information head to afl.com.au/allstars
Indigenous All Stars Squad (previously announced)
Callum Ah Chee – Noongar, Palyku and Nyikina,
Yawuru Shai Bolton – Minang and Wilman
Charlie Cameron – Waanyi and Lardil
Bobby Hill – Whadjuk, Ballardong,
Noongar Brad Hill – Wilmen, Noongar
Jarman Impey – Yorta Yorta
Alex Pearce – Palawa
Kysaiah Pickett – Yamatji, Noongar
Liam Ryan – Yamatji
Izak Rankine – Kokatha and Ngarrindjeri
Michael Walters – Whadjuk, Wilmen and Ngarrindjeri
Full squad to be announced shortly.