Late last year, the AFL confirmed that in 2024 a new tradition would begin within the competition – an Indigenous Vs Multicultural All-Stars Game. Fans have been clamouring for an All-Star game within the AFL for years now and I think this is a perfect way to bring that idea to fruition. After all, the concept has been used for years within junior football and camps are held every year for these squads to compete against each other and learn about their respective cultures. I personally have had multiple friends attend said camps and play in the games and they have all boasted only positive things about the experience. So, one can only think the same positivity will come from making it a tradition within the professional level of the game.
But the question remains, who would play?
Minimal spots are up for grabs for both teams and in this 2-part series, I have gone through and selected who I think, as of now, would be best suited to being called an All-Star for their respective side. I have selected the 18-man starting roster on the field and for the bench with this being a pre-season game, you would think the AFL would allow for an extended bench and unlimited subs to make sure that all players are getting adequate rest and don’t injure themselves before Round 1 kicks off. So I have selected an extended bench of 6 players.
In this part, I select the best 24 players who I think deserve to play for the Indigenous All-Stars!
The Indigenous All-Stars
All players selected are players of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent.
The Backline
The backline was honestly the hardest area of the team to pick, as the majority of eligible squad members play either in the mids or up front, but I’ve managed to find some utilities to plug the gaps.
Steven May: Gunbalanya and Larrakia – Originally from Darwin, the Dee’s fullback would be an easy pick for this squad. May would more than likely wear the Multicultural Full-Forward like a glove, as well as take the kick outs.
Sam Petrevski-Seton: Kija and Bunuba – SPS would be a perfect utility player that could slot down back and play in the pocket or run off the halfback line if needed. He could also rotate into the mids and upfront if need be.
Keidan Coleman: Dalabon – A young star that has emerged as a part of Brisbane’s backline after a few injuries to Daniel Rich allowed him to take a greater role and get plenty of touches and intercept marks while he was at it. He can definitely line up in either a pocket or halfback role.
Zac Williams: Wiradjuri – Zac Williams’ career has been plagued with injuries, but nobody can deny that when he turns it on, he is one of the most exciting running halfbacks in the game, with plenty of one-twos, he earns his spot in this team.
Bradley Hill: Noonga – Bradley Hill is another utility that would be prime to run off halfback for this team. He is the sort of player that could rock up and get over 30 touches in this game if he felt like it so I couldn’t leave him out.
Daniel Rioli: Tiwi – Daniel Rioli is ageing like a fine wine, as do many of the Rioli clan. He is always a presence for Richmond running carrying, hitting the switch, pushing forward and even kicking a goal or two. It wouldn’t be an Indigenous All-Star team without a Rioli.
The Midfielders
No this is where the selection process starts to get a little bit more difficult, as the engine room for this team could end up very stacked.
Paddy Ryder: Yuat – Big Paddy Ryder just has to slot into the role of the ruckman here, at 34 years of age, the journeyman retired after the 2022 season, but with no other option, they would have to call the big man out of retirement to fill the role in the ruck. I’m sure an honour such as this would convince him to play.
Shai Bolton: Noongar – Potentially the most exciting player in the game at the moment Shai Bolton would easily get a spot in the side and if he didn’t I would probably riot. He would be a smoky for best on as well if he managed to turn it on and have one of his 25 touches and 3-goal games.
Tim Kelly: Noongar – Fun fact about Tim Kelly, he could strap on the Indigenous Jumper for the first half and then whack on the Multicultural strip for the second. Hey, if they wanted to throw a bit of spice into the game he could wear a bib and be a swingman. He has Chilean descent as well, which would qualify him for both teams, but I feel he would be best suited to the Indigenous squad.
Jy Simpkin: Yorta Yorta – The Kangaroo vice-captain would be another welcome inclusion into this stacked midfielder and take a roving role that would see him most likely pick up a lazy 30 as he does most weeks.
Marlion Pickett: Noongar – The Tigers wingman would also be a great fit for this team and would join teammates Bolton and Rioli in the side. He could slot in on the wing and provide plenty of options for a quick switch, as well as a quick 45 into the corridor and away he goes.
Karl Amon: Noonuccal – The former Port winger, now a Hawk, Karl Amon would 100% get picked in this team as, on most occasions, he has a great impact on the way his team’s game pans out. If he is on, it could be the X factor that takes the Indigenous team over the line.
The Forwards
Now, I thought the midfield was stacked, just get prepared for the forward line. This one was almost impossible to get down to just 6, but here goes!
Lance Franklin (C): Whadjuk – Yes, Big Buddy, the team would feel empty if he wasn’t steaming up the ground as the big full-forward kicking a bag of goals while he is at it. Arguably, one of the greatest ever to play the game and one of few that has ever kicked 1000 goals, he comes into the side as the starting key forward and the skipper.
Charlie Cameron: Waanyi and Lardil – Just like Big Buddy, this team would be pretty pointless without the enigma that is Charlie Cameron. He is up there with Franklin as one of the biggest stars in the game irrespective of heritage. His unique brand of goal-scoring brilliance would bring plenty of excitement to the game.
Izak Rankine: Kokatha and Ngarrindjeri – What can’t this man do? Some are saying Rankine could be the next Eddie Betts with the way he is able to crumb a ball so cleanly and in the blink of an eye he has spun around 3 defenders and snapped a goal that would be mostly impossible for other players. He demands a spot in this side like no other.
Kysaiah Pickett: Noongar and Yamatji – This young man is fast becoming fans’ favourite player to watch. He will just pop up out of nowhere and if you aren’t careful he will tackle you, grab the ball and then snap a goal before you have even had a chance to process what happened. He has already snagged 88 goals in just 62 games, a total he would most likely add to after his All-Star appearance.
Chad Wingard: Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri – Wingard would become the 5th player in this side to represent the Indigenous strip for the second time as Ryder, Hill, Franklin and May all wore the jersey alongside Wingard in a 2013 game against Richmond – fun fact! But as one of the greatest players ever to not win a premiership getting the opportunity to wear the Indigenous strip one more time before retiring would be a fitting send-off.
Tyson Stengle: Wirangu – From a man whose career is on the decline to one whose career is only just beginning, Tyson Stengle was one of the feel-good stories of 2022. Injuries and off-field incidents kept Stengle to minimal game time at both Richmond and Adelaide, before a last-minute trade to Geelong to reunite with mentor Eddie Betts allowed him to really showcase his talents. 53 goals, a premiership and an All-Australian Team selection later and he is considered one of the best small forwards in the game. Bravo Tyson!
The Bench
The following six players are all very talented and deserve their chance to play in this game and will provide plenty of rotation for the starting 18.
Jamarra Ugle-Hagan (Balardong, Noongar and Gunditjmara), Brandan Parfitt (Warramungu and Larrakia), Michael Walters (Menang and Ngarrindjeri), Junior Rioli (Tiwi), Jeremy Finlayson (Yorta Yorta) and Liam Ryan (Wajarri) would all be welcome additions through the team with the ability to rotate all around the ground.
The Side
B: K Coleman, S May, Z Williams
HB: B Hill, D Rioli, S Petrevski-Seton
C: M Pickett, T Kelly, K Amon
HF: I Rankine, C Wingard, C Cameron
FF: T Stengle, L Franklin (C), K Pickett
FOLL: P Ryder, J Simpkin, S Bolton
BENCH: J Ugle-Hagan, L Ryan, J Rioli, B Parfitt, M Walters, J Finlayson
That is Part 1 done and dusted and the Indigenous All-Star team has been selected! Who do you think was stiff to miss out? Let me know in the comments!
Join me next time when I select the Multicultural All-Stars line-up!