The AFL Indigenous All Stars will assemble and play for the first time since 2015 when they take on Fremantle next February.
After a 10-year hiatus, the AFL announced the representative team would come together for a game against the Dockers on Saturday, February 15 at Perth's Optus Stadium.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players have a remarkable history in our game and the All Stars team builds on this legacy that I am thrilled to see will return to the field in 2025,” AFL general manager of social policy and inclusion Tanya Hosch said. “This game also serves as a powerful opportunity to highlight Indigenous player excellence, unite, reflect, and reinforce our shared commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples place and broader inclusion within the game of Aussie rules footy.
“It will not only be a celebration of Indigenous cultures and place in the game, but the outstanding contributions Indigenous players continue to make to our sport and will also serve as aspiration for young Indigenous players and communities into the future."
Hosch said players would hope to "carry on the legacy" of the likes of Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli, Jeff Farmer, Eddie Betts and Michael O'Loughlin, who previously took part in the exhibition match. “It will also be more than 80 years since the historic 1944 game during World War two between an all-Aboriginal team and a combined SANFL team at the Adelaide Oval to raise funds to support soldiers during the war," Hosch said. “This first combined team celebrated being able to come together and Indigenous players relish the chance to take the field together, celebrate their rich cultural heritage and showcase their incredible skills."
There is a wealth of talent to choose from.
Theoretically, the likes of Charlie Cameron, Bobby Hill, Kysaiah Pickett, Izak Rankine and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan could all line up in the same star-studded forward line.
Fremantle players are set to face their own teammates, with gun recruit Shai Bolton, captain Alex Pearce and veteran Michael Walters all expected to play for the All Stars.
“To run onto the field in this game is an incredible honour for the Fremantle Football Club," Fremantle chief executive Simon Garlick said. “Fremantle has such a proud history when it comes to Indigenous players representing our club, not to mention the connections we have with communities all around WA and throughout Australia. “We embrace the strong culture with Indigenous people that has helped make us the club we are today, highlighted by more than two and a half thousand AFL games from 36 Indigenous players.”
