The AFL has announced a three-year partnership extension with National Indigenous Television (NITV) to bring back Yokayi Footy for the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season.

This marks the first multi-year partnership between the AFL and NITV and will ensure the production of Yokayi Footy until at least 2025.

Yokayi Footy is a beloved program that covers all aspects of Australian Football League (AFL) through fun and exciting stories, powerful monologues, community stories, and exclusive interviews with prominent Indigenous players.

The program has returned with its trademark mix of entertainment and AFL coverage, airing its second episode of Season Four on Wednesday.

Commenting on the partnership extension, AFL executive general manager of customer and commercial, Kylie Rogers, said: “The AFL is thrilled to extend its partnership with NITV and celebrate the return of the fourth installment of Yokayi Footy that is set to be bigger and better than ever before.”

“Yokayi Footy continues to be an important platform to amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ voices on a national scale and we’re proud to play a role in creating a safe space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to discuss important topics that matter both on and off the field,” she said.

Headlining the show is former Richmond and Collingwood AFL player Andrew Krakouer, who is a Mineng and Yinggarda man, along with rising media star Megan Waters, a Warumungu/Yawuru woman.

Former triple premiership Brisbane Lions player Darryl White, a Arrente man, and former AFL champion Gilbert McAdam, an Arrente/Gidja man, will also be regular panellists on the show.

The AFL and NITV partnership will showcase Indigenous voices in sports media and provide opportunities for Indigenous players to share their stories and experiences, while also promoting Indigenous culture and heritage within the AFL community.