AFL and NITV Strengthen Strategic Ties with the Launch of ‘Inside the Huddle’

The Australian Football League has officially bolstered its media and inclusion strategy for the 2026 Toyota AFL Premiership Season, announcing a renewed content partnership with National Indigenous Television (NITV).

The centrepiece of this collaboration is the debut of Inside the Huddle, a weekly program designed to provide a culturally informed lens on the league’s commercial and community operations.

The initiative aligns directly with the AFL’s recently ratified First Nations Strategy.

By dedicating a prime-time slot to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives, the league aims to formalise its commitment to representation while diversifying its digital and broadcast inventory. The program will be accessible across NITV, SBS On Demand, and the AFL’s proprietary digital platforms, ensuring a broad commercial reach.

The production is led by executive producer, Tony Briggs, a Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri man and founder of Typecast Entertainment.

Briggs, renowned for creating The Sapphires, brings significant industry prestige to the project. His appointment signals the AFL’s intent to move beyond surface-level engagement, instead investing in high-calibre production values that resonate with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.

Commenting on the launch, AFL general manager of first nations engagement and inclusion, Taryn Lee, said: “Guided by the AFL’s First Nations Strategy, it’s incredibly important that we have a dedicated First Nations show and strong First Nations voices across our platforms.” 

She also noted that the program creates a vital space for storytelling that reflects the richness of the game’s heritage.

Emphasising the broader industry implications, NITV’s head of Indigenous Commissioning and Production, Dena Curtis, added: “Through this partnership with the AFL, Inside the Huddle gives First Nations voices a platform to lead the conversation around the game and the communities that have shaped it.” 

Inside the Huddle Team

The show is fronted by Gunditjmara and Wiradjuri man and triple-premiership player Chris Johnson, alongside Warumungu and Yawuru presenter Megan Waters.

The roster of rotating co-hosts includes high-profile talent such as Jarman Impey, Chad Wingard, Courtney Ugle, and Zac Williams. This use of “star power” is expected to drive engagement metrics across the AFL’s social and streaming services.

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