Indigenous Round a crucial part of AFLW: players

Kirby Bentley, the 2025 AFLW Indigenous Round honouree, had a big message for the game's custodians. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

Having more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prominent positions like coaching, administration and umpiring, is critical to increasing Indigenous player participation within the AFLW.

That's the view of former Fremantle and Carlton forward Kirby Bentley, who was on Tuesday named the 2025 AFLW Indigenous Round honouree.