While details of the themed game are still being discussed, it is believed the Swans - based in a city that hosts the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardis Gras and has a large gay community - are receptive to the idea. Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett has also been personally lobbying Mr Demetriou to back a pride game. In September, beyondblue, the anti-depression organisation, launched a national campaign highlighting the link between homophobic discrimination and depression. Football's move to embrace the gay community comes after a Yarra Glen player, Jason Ball, launched a petition in September calling for the league to introduce a pride round, and for anti-homophobia ads to be played at the 2012 grand final. More than 27,000 signed and the AFL later agreed to show the ads on big screens at preliminary finals.

Ball, who was recently asked by Mr Kennett to be a beyondblue ambassador, has now been invited by the AFL Players Association to address young players at the draftee induction camp in January about life as a gay footballer. AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis said he thought players would be largely supportive of a pride game, and that Ball's experiences would be instructive for draftees. ''Jason has an interesting story about what football means to him in terms of his sexuality and and his sense of self and his place in the community, so they will get a sense of the responsibility that goes with their positions,'' Mr Finnis said. ''It will mean different things to different players, but it's an important symbol among a broader conversation about the importance of football being an inclusive environment, and that everyone needs to reflect on the impact of their actions on others.'' While AFL corporate affairs manager James Tonkin would not confirm specifics, it is believed discussions between Hawthorn, Sydney and the league are well advanced. Mr Tonkin said the AFL was continuing to work on its policy approach to promote diversity, inclusion and tolerance and was committed to making further progress.

''Initial discussions have been held about the possibility of a pride match or something similar to celebrate diversity, but it remains a work in progress at this early stage.'' Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox said it was too early to comment on the pride game. Ball, 24, said it was encouraging that the Hawks and Swans were showing leadership on homophobia by considering a pride game, and he welcomed the opportunity to speak to AFL draftees. ''My teammates didn't understand that the language they used had an effect on me,'' he said. ''It chips away at your self-esteem and your confidence and your ability to be yourself. ''It was that constant reminding that in their minds being gay is being weak or being lesser.

''As soon as they knew I was gay they actually wanted to make a change in their behaviour because I was one of their teammates, one of their friends. I would hope that sharing that story would have a similar effect on new AFL players.'' The AFLPA is also considering producing a series of videos in which current and former players would interview young gay and lesbian football fans about their experiences.