BROWNLOW medallist Gavin Wanganeen has made history, becoming the first indigenous player to join an AFL club's board.

Wanganeen has been elected to Port Adelaide's board, winning the majority of the nearly 4000 votes that were cast by Power members.

The 45-year-old brings a wealth of football knowledge to the position, having played 300 games – 127 with Essendon from 1991-96 and 173 with Port Adelaide from 1997 to 2006 – winning the game's highest individual honour in 1993 and being inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame.

Wanganeen was Port Adelaide's inaugural AFL captain when it entered the national competition in 1997 and played in the 2004 premiership.

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"I thought it might be time to seriously look at nominating for the board and to go into an environment where you are able to make a significant contribution on decisions that are going to shape your club going forward, so that excited me," Wanganeen said.

"Being the first indigenous past player board member of any of the teams in the AFL makes me feel really proud.

"Indigenous numbers in this game of ours have been pretty high, about 10 or 11 per cent.

"To see those percentages go up and transfer to other areas of the AFL is really important and hopefully this is a path going forward for the next generation to get them doing things like this."

Power chairman David Koch said Wanganeen would be a valuable addition to the board.

"Gavin brings a strong understanding of the Port Adelaide football club given he first came through the doors at Alberton in the under 13s," Koch said.

"With his external networks and business acumen along with his passion for the club, we look forward to his contribution to the board table."

Wanganeen replaces seven-time SANFL premiership player George Fiacchi, who had served on the board since 2012.