World Footy News

The AFL is pleased to announce that Hawthorn star Lance Franklin will captain the Indigenous All Stars when they take on the Richmond Football Club on Friday, February 8 at 7pm in Alice Springs.

Supported by the Coles AFL Indigenous program, the match will be played at Traeger Park and will showcase the Indigenous talent in the AFL.

Franklin said he is proud to captain the All Stars for the first time and looks forward to the match against Richmond.

"The Indigenous All Stars match is a really important event as it recognises the Indigenous Australians' contribution to the national competition.  It's a chance for some of the best Indigenous talent from across the country to play together."

It was also reported today in the Herald Sun that Franklin would like to have the Indigenous team play in a three team International Rules competition against the Irish and Australian teams "Personally, I would love to see the All Stars take on the Australia and Ireland teams. That would be great recognition for the indigenous players."  

Michael O’Loughlin will coach the All Stars and will be assisted by Roger Hayden, Adam Goodes and Shaun Burgyone .

The match will follow the annual AFL Players’ Association Indigenous Camp that will take place in Alice Springs from February 5 to 7.

The three-day camp will bring together 60 Indigenous AFL players and will include an Indigenous leadership program and community visits.

All players attending the AFLPA Indigenous camp will be eligible to push for selection in the final All Stars squad which will take on Richmond.

Richmond will head to Alice Springs on February 6 to conduct its Australia Post AFL Community Camp ahead of the match.

Tickets to the match are on sale and can be purchased by calling 08 8980 4801 or 08 8952 1670, or from the following outlets:

• Centralian Sports, Ansett Building, Parsons Street, Alice Springs

• Dymocks Book Shop, Alice Springs Plaza, Alice Springs

• Hot Stuff 4 the Sporting Buff, Shop 6/10 Polana Centre, Alice Springs

Gates at Traeger Park will be open to ticket holders from 5pm and pre-match entertainment will include a performance from Manuel Nulupani Dhurrkay from the Saltwater Band.

The Indigenous All Stars will also perform their War Cry before the game commences.

The match between the Indigenous All Stars and Richmond Football Club is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government.

Players attending the 2013 AFLPA Indigenous camp

Adelaide Crows:

Cameron Ellis-Yolmen

Graham Johncock

Jared Petrenko

Brisbane Lions:

Ashley McGrath

Carlton:

Eddie Betts

Chris Yarran

Essendon:

Alwyn Davey

Courtney Dempsey

Leroy Jetta

Nathan Lovett-Murray

Patrick Ryder

Fremantle:

Jonathon Griffin

Michael Johnson

Danyle Pearce

Joshua Simpson

Michael Walters

Geelong Cats:

Allen Christensen

Joel Hamling

Bradley Hartman

Steven Motlop

Mathew Stokes

Travis Varcoe

Gold Coast Suns:

Harley Bennell

Jarrod Harbrow

Brandon Matera

Steven May

Liam Patrick

Tim Sumner

Greater Western Sydney Giants:

Shaun Edwards

Curtly Hampton

Gerald Ugle

Zac Williams

Nathan Wilson

Hawthorn:

Jed Anderson

Shaun Burgoyne

Amos Frank

Lance Franklin

Bradley Hill

Cyril Rioli

Derick Wanganeen

Melbourne:

Dominic Barry

Aaron Davey

Neville Jetta

North Melbourne:

Lindsay Thomas

Port Adelaide:

Brendon Ah Chee

Jake Neade

Chad Wingard

Richmond:

Shane Edwards

St Kilda:

Terry Milera

Sydney Swans:

Tony Armstrong

Adam Goodes

Lewis Jetta

West Coast Eagles:

Jamie Bennell

Brad Dick

Joshua Hill

Murray Newman

Sharrod Wellingham

Western Bulldogs:

Brett Goodes

Liam Jones

Koby Stevens