AFL Northern Territory is thrilled to congratulate Northern Territory football icon Xavier Clarke on his appointment as the Head Coach of the Indigenous All-Stars for their highly anticipated return in 2025.
A former AFL player with 106 games to his name for St Kilda and Brisbane, Clarke made his mark in the Northern Territory Football League (NTFL) playing for St Mary’s before being drafted fifth overall in the 2001 AFL National Draft. He made his AFL debut in 2002, quickly establishing himself as a key player with his skill and leadership.
A proud Larrakia and Amrreamo/Marritjavin man, Clarke featured for the Indigenous All-Stars in 2007, where he had the opportunity to play in front of family and friends at a packed out TIO Stadium with 13,119 in attendance against a side with deep connections to the NT in the Essendon Bombers. The Bombers were clinical in that match securing the win with a scoreline of 14.9.93 to the All-Stars 6.7.43.
Group shot the Allstars and Essendon Bombers team during the pre-season match between the Indigenous Allstars and the Essendon Bombers at Marrara Stadium, Northern Territory. February 9, 2007. Photo: Sean GARNSWORTHY
After retiring from AFL, Clarke turned his focus to coaching. In 2014, he took the reins as head coach of the NT Thunder’s NEAFL side, where he earned the prestigious 'Coach of the Year' award. His coaching journey reached new heights in 2015 when he led the Thunder to a premiership victory.
Clarke continued to build his coaching career, joining Richmond’s VFL team in 2017 as an assistant coach before stepping up to head coach of the VFL side in 2020. Currently, he holds a role for the North Melbourne Kangaroos as an assistant coach.
Clarke’s appointment to lead the Indigenous All-Stars marks another exciting chapter in his career, as he takes on a prominent role in celebrating and promoting Indigenous culture through Australian rules football.
For the first time since 2015, the game's best Indigenous players will come together in one team to take on Fremantle in the 2025 Toyota Indigenous All-Stars match at Optus Stadium on February 15.