Indigenous All-Stars name squad for Dockers clash

By PETER ROWE

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce, forward Michael Walters and recent addition Shai Bolton are set to play against their club after being named in the All Stars squad for the much-anticipated pre-season clash at Perth;s Optus Stadium on February 15.

The squad consists of 31 Indigenous players from 16 AFL clubs. Seven all-Australians, 10 premiership players and seven top-20 national draft picks.

Essendon’s Jade Gresham told The Roar it was an honour to be picked and called for the game to become an annual fixture.

“I can’t wait to run out with the Indigenous boys from other clubs and represent our culture,” Gresham said.

“All the boys are eager to play so it would be awesome if we could do it every year.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to represent your culture.

“You’re representing your culture, your family and your friends, so to be able to do that is something really important and I think we should do that more.”

Port Adelaide is the best represented club with four players – Jase Burgoyne, Jeremy Finlayson, Willie Rioli and Horne-Francis.

North Melbourne’s Jy Simpkin will captain the team.

Simpkin became the first Indigenous captain in North Melbourne’s history when he was first appointed co-captain alongside Luke McDonald in 2023.

The Indigenous All Stars last played in 2015, when they went down to West Coast at Perth’s Leederville Oval.

AFL INDIGENOUS ALL STARS SQUAD

Callum Ah Chee (Brisbane Lions) – Noongar, Palyku and Nyikina, Yawuru

Karl Amon (Hawthorn) – Noonuccal

Shai Bolton (Fremantle) – Minang and Wilman

Jase Burgoyne (Port Adelaide) – Kokatha, Larrakia, Warai

Charlie Cameron (Brisbane Lions) – Waanyi and Lardil

Jeremy Finlayson (Port Adelaide) – Yorta Yorta

Jade Gresham (Essendon) – Yorta Yorta

Bobby Hill (Collingwood) – Whadjuk, Ballardong, Noongar

Brad Hill (St Kilda) – Wilmen, Noongar

Jason Horne-Francis (Port Adelaide) – Wardaman

Lawson Humphries (Geelong) – Nyul Nyul, Oomiday, Worrora

Jarman Impey (Hawthorn) – Yorta Yorta

Joel Jeffrey (Gold Coast) – Kukatj, Wulwulam

Ash Johnson (Collingwood) – Jaru, Kija

Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs) – Kija

Tim Kelly (West Coast) – Noongar, Wongi, Yamatji

Coen Livingstone (West Coast) – Balardong, Noongar

Ben Long (Gold Coast) – Anmatjerre

Steven May (Melbourne) – Larrakia

Jesse Motlop (Carlton) – Larrakia

Alex Pearce (Fremantle) – Palawa

Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne) – Yamatji, Noongar

Izak Rankine (Adelaide) – Kokatha and Ngarrindjeri

Maurice Rioli (Richmond) – Tiwi

Willie Rioli (Port Adelaide) – Tiwi

Liam Ryan (West Coast) – Yamatji

Jy Simpkin (North Melbourne) – Yorta Yorta

Tyson Stengle (Geelong) – Wirangu

Michael Walters (Fremantle) – Whadjuk, Wilmen and Ngarrindjeri

Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (St Kilda) – Kokatha, Narangga

Zac Williams (Carlton) – Wiradjuri.