I'm a Kiwi who loves League and Union. In my country, the Polynesian communities, as well as Maori, adapted to both sports seamlessly. There was certainly racism, and still is, however Union and League in New Zealand, as well as Rugby in the Island nations, have all been transformed by having the Polynesian community in it.

Growing up, I didn't understand AFL - but I respected it. I respected its history and its popularity. However, I also completely understood the grand swathe of the absence of the Pacific community in AFL compared to Union and League. It doesn't help that the AFL has had an horrific history of racism towards the Aboriginal community.

AFL today has Polynesian athletes, but they are truly miniscule. The AFL has also tried to stamp out racism, especially having being started during this era of cancel culture.

What can AFL do to increase its popularity to, one day, be equal to League or Union, in Pacific communities?

Or is the Polynesian community in New South Wales just far more influential in Rugby League than in AFL and this will always be the case ?

Or should I not hold my hopes up too much and think it an absolute lost cause?