Football Federation Australia stands accused of dropping the ball on indigenous footballers as the game prepares to celebrate a themed A-League round in their honour.
Only three A-League players - just over one per cent - identify as indigenous, well short of FFA targets.
A 10-year plan, announced in 2009 by then-chairman Frank Lowy, and a first indigenous football strategy, launched in 2012, have failed to bear fruit.
Lowy said he wanted to see indigenous talent make up at least five per cent of Socceroos and A-League squads, linking it to better health, education and skill attainment for the individuals and their communities.
"We have not had enough players of Indigenous background in football," Lowy said.
"Indigenous players from other sports show that success in sport has a very positive effect on the local community and we want football to have the same impact."
A lack of investment has stymied the growth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island footballers playing the world game.
"We do need a improved policy and emphasis on indigenous football," John Moriarty, the first indigenous Australian to be called up for the Socceroos, told AAP.
Moriarty now spearheads a program to develop young indigenous talent.
"The ones we've got in there, led by Jade North, are good role models for what we can do," he said.
"But if you look at the other codes, they do a lot more for Aboriginal people."
The talent drop-off is a far cry from even three years ago, when four indigenous players shared a pitch in the A-League.
Brisbane Roar duo North and Adam Sarota were involved in a game at AAMI Park against David Williams and James Brown of Melbourne City.
In addition to a lack of investment, there's a lack of recognition.
Whereas other codes celebrate and nurture indigenous talent with all-star matches and development programs, there's little of the same for soccer.
Travis Dodd became the first indigenous player to score for the Socceroos in 2008. No man has since.
"I didn't even know at the time I was the first. It was a bit of a shock," Dodd told AAP.
"But it's a special moment to me and a pretty significant milestone.
"Hopefully we can get to a point when we can be heralding indigenous players like we do in the AFL."
Moriarty said he believed indigenous players had much to offer.
"They're fast. They're quick. They're so skilful. And great reactions," he said.
"They're tailor made for our game, the international game."
DROPPING THE BALL ON INDIGENOUS TALENT
Comparing the codes: Make-up of indigenous players in Australian football leagues.
AFL - nine per cent (15 per cent of 2016 draft class)
NRL - 12 per cent
A-League: 1.2 per cent
(Source: Professional Footballers Australia)
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