A Personal Journey of Support and Growth
Malcolm Lynch recalls the isolation he felt as an Indigenous player in the Australian Football League (AFL). This sense of loneliness is what now fuels his work as an Indigenous player development manager at GWS. As the Giants prepare to celebrate Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Lynch will be on the sidelines, hoping for a win against the reigning premiers, Brisbane.
GWS, currently sitting at 4-6, are still recovering from a surprising loss to West Coast, while the Lions, with a record of 6-4, are looking to bounce back after a home defeat to Geelong. Lynch emphasizes that his role is vital in supporting players like star tagger Toby Bedford and up-and-comer Harry Rowston, drawing from his own experiences playing for the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne.
Lynch was drafted into the AFL system in 2007. Reflecting on the early 2000s, he says, “If you didn’t fit the mould of that particular club or culture, you’re just left to your own devices.” He adds, “There was no support, so that can be a very lonely place. That sort of made me stronger in a way, like, ‘Far out, I don’t want that to happen again.’”
He has come full circle, never expecting to find himself in a role that would have helped him during his younger days. “I never thought 20 years later, I’d be at an AFL club in a role that I needed when I was younger,” he says.
The Importance of Cultural Support
Lynch believes his role is crucial in the AFL’s efforts to boost Indigenous participation rates, a focus of this year’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round. However, the numbers tell a different story. In 2026, there are 62 First Nations players on AFL club lists, a decline from the record 87 in 2020.
To address this, the AFL launched the First Nations Impact Fund, investing about $300,000 annually in partnership with clubs. Additionally, the league mandated in 2021 the appointment of Indigenous player development managers at all 18 clubs.
Lynch notes that in previous years, cultural aspects were often overlooked. “It almost gets dismissed, right? ‘Oh, no, they don’t want to do it, or they don’t care about it.’ I hate that, because every player wants to play AFL football – they wouldn’t have put all these years in for nothing.”
He stresses the importance of providing the right support. “That’s just a crazy outlook. I take this role very seriously, because you can see the magic that happens when they get that right support.”
A New Perspective on Cultural Support
For former Sydney player James Bell, having cultural support has made a significant difference. Bell, who played 28 games for the Swans from 2018 to 2022, will be part of the Giants’ VFL curtain-raiser on Sunday.
Bell reflects on the 2021 mandate, stating, “It was too little, too late.” He explains, “When you come into an environment where there was no one that I could relate to, you just feel like you’re just talking to a brick wall. It’s such a relief having someone like Mal.”
He adds, “It goes past footy and to actual genuine care because this is a hard industry to survive in. I wish I had it (an Indigenous support officer) earlier.”
Looking Ahead
Sunday’s game will mark the end of the two-week Sir Doug Nicholls Round, but Lynch emphasizes the need for continued curiosity and understanding. “You’ve got to understand your country’s history before anything, before you can jump into everything else,” he says.
The Giants have made three changes for the match, with fit-again defender Jack Buckley leading the charge, joined by forward Callum Brown and fellow backman Conor Stone. On the visiting side, Brisbane premiership player Ty Gallop returns alongside fringe forward Will McLachlan.
