Former AFL stars Michael O'Loughlin and Chris Johnson will become mentors in a new program to help young indigenous men.

The Footy Means Business program aims to help develop 200 players over the next four years.

The goal of the scheme is that all the players will either be drafted to clubs, gain employment or receive accredited training.

As part of the program's launch, O'Loughlin and Johnson will coach in the initial batch of 50 players in a curtain-raiser before the Richmond-Essendon Dreamtime At The `G match on Saturday night at the MCG.

O'Loughlin and Johnson are two of the game's all-time great indigenous players.

O'Loughlin, the Sydney games record holder, will coach the North team and Johnson, a three-time Brisbane premiership player, will be in charge of the South squad.

Mining giant Rio Tinto's sponsorship of the program is understood to be worth around $1 million.

AFL clubs currently have 84 indigenous players on their lists and league chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the goal is for that to increase to 100 within three years.

"If we were to do that, particularly from where we were 10 years ago, that would be a great achievement for the industry," Demetriou said.

"It would speak volumes for the clubs and their commitment to our indigenous players.

"I know that all the programs we're involved with, they're making a difference."

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