AFL’s Indigenous All Stars may have won their match against Fremantle over the weekend, but it’s what their players did after the game that’s captured the hearts of the internet.
After the final whistle blew on the 16.12 (108) to 9.11 (65) game, the All Stars made their way into the crowd to celebrate with their biggest supporters.
One moment that’s gone viral - racking up over 3.4 million views across Instagram and TikTok - is when Liam Ryan stopped to comfort a young girl who burst into tears while meeting him.
Ryan immediately jumped up to give her a big hug over the barrier, sharing a few kind words as she wiped away her tears and took in the moment.
“Moments like these 🥹,” AFL captioned the video.
“She felt seen,” one commenter wrote. “A feeling she probably hadn’t felt in a long time…”
Another agreed: “Not me crying on TikTok… he SAW her, she was SEEN and she could barely take it.”
“And THAT’S why representation matters!!! ❤️,” a third said.
To see yourself reflected in the face and success of another is a gift amplified times a million!
For the young girl, it wasn’t about a photo op or getting merch signed—it was about a genuine moment of connection and appreciation for Ryan.
And he wasn’t the only one making an impact. Bobby Hill also spent time meeting and connecting with as many fans as possible - snapping photos, signing kits, and high-fiving supporters who stuck around after the match.
Even as the team was leaving the field, Hill stopped to sign a young fan’s boot.
These players are true role models, showing young fans that success and representation go hand in hand.
