Jackson said he read McLean's story last week and was moved to support his bid to make the game more inclusive for all football fans and players.

''People need to be able to be proud of who they are and if, by marching, people who are gay feel a bit more supported by us as individuals and footballers as a whole then that's a good achievement,'' said Jackson, who is an ambassador for youth mental health foundation headspace. ''I was shocked to learn through my involvement with headspace about the high suicide rates the gay and lesbian community face and I find it unbelievable that young people feel so persecuted for being who they are that it would drive them to commit suicide.''

Ball, who is an ambassador for national depression agency beyondblue, said the support of his teammates and AFL players in the march was a significant symbolic gesture.

''As someone who is gay in a footy community, it's not easy to stand up for yourself in that environment so it's actually the role of your straight teammates to be supportive. My teammates marching with me completely blasts the stereotypes of footy players being homophobic and of the footy culture being unwelcoming to the gay community. These boys are doing something that the rest of the footy community doesn't seem to be ready for, they're taking that stand,'' Ball said. ''As for Brock, he needs to know how many people's lives he has affected for the better because of the stand that he's taken.''

Ball will read out messages of support from the AFL Coaches Association and the Richmond and Geelong football clubs. Leader of the Opposition Daniel Andrews will address the march, as will the Mayor of Port Phillip, Amanda Stevens.