AFL Indigenous All Stars full squad: See who will be playing
The Indigenous All Stars squad has been announced with some massive names, but coach Xavier Clarke will have to juggle plenty of injury issues. See the full squad here.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Brilliant Port Adelaide mid-forward Jason Horne-Francis, Demons premiership defender Steven May and North Melbourne captain Jy Simpkin have added valuable star power to the Indigenous All Stars side ahead of its clash against Fremantle.
The team features 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players from 16 clubs, with Port Adelaide leading the charge with Horne-Francis, Willie Rioli, Jase Burgoyne and Jeremy Finlayson.
Geelong’s brilliant young defender Lawson Humphries will play alongside All Australian Tyson Stengle, with Carlton’s Zac Williams and Jesse Motlop added to a side that had already announced 11 squad members.
The likes of Kysaiah Pickett, Charlie Cameron, Bobby Hill, Brad Hill, Shai Bolton, Jarman Impey and Izak Rankine had already been named in a side keen to light up Optus Stadium as part of the pre-season competition.
But now the AFL and All Stars coach Xavier Clarke will have to assess the latest medical reports to avoid a spate with withdrawals, with Shai Bolton (calf), Alex Pearce (ankle) and Michael Walters (knee) among those carrying niggling injuries.
Western Bulldogs full back Liam Jones has been included in the squad but seems certain to miss the contest (hamstring) given fresh injury concerns on Sunday from a Queensland intraclub clash.
The side now includes St Kilda’s brilliant half back Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, West Coast’s Tim Kelly and Richmond’s Maurice Rioli but also some inexperience, including uncapped Eagle Coen Livingstone.
The AFL will be hoping the likes of Horne-Francis can light up Optus Stadium as a showcase of Indigenous talent that is part of an attempt to arrest the shrinking pool of AFL players from Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander backgrounds.
Horne-Francis is one of football’s most exciting young talents and is ready to throw everything at the Dockers.
“I’m really excited to be selected to play in the Indigenous All Stars game. To have four
boys included from Port Adelaide is great recognition for our club,” Horne-Francis said.
“It’s an honour to represent my culture on the football field, and to play alongside some
of the most talented players in the league.”
GWS and Sydney are the only teams without representation in the squad.
The AFL has again scrapped national draft bidding limits on clubs securing NGA talent in an attempt to grow the pool of Indigenous talent, which has dropped to just over 60.
Demons defender Steven May is thrilled to be given the chance to once more suit up with his Indigenous teammates.
“As a kid growing up in Darwin, I always dreamt of being part of it. I was lucky enough
to play back in 2013, and it’s pretty surreal that I get that opportunity again,” May said.
“It’s a privilege to represent our culture on the big stage. It’s also a great chance for us to
come together, from different cultures and backgrounds, to play the game that we all
love. Hopefully we can put on a good show.”
Originally published as AFL Indigenous All Stars full squad: See who will be playing
Buddy, Gaz, Dusty? The 10 best AFL players this century ranked
Think naming the team of the century was hard? Jon Ralph and Glenn McFarlane have narrowed that down to 10 and determined the defining player of the 21st century. HAVE YOUR SAY.
Port young gun eyes big 2025 after ‘frustrating’ injury run
Josh Sinn has spent lots of time sidelined but is now enjoying his first full pre-season. The youngster sheds light on his frustrating start in the AFL and how he has turned his body around.