New colours and a 'new age' look for Indigenous AFL team
THE All-Stars have unveiled a new playing strip after unveiling one of the youngest squads in the concept's 15-year history.
Up to eight footballers yet to play a game at AFL level have been chosen in the 30-man squad, released yesterday, to play Adelaide in Darwin next week.
The 33-man All-Stars squad contains several of the game's leading players, including Port Adelaide pair Shaun Burgoyne and Daniel Motlop and Adelaide's dual Norm Smith medallist Andrew McLeod (pictured with Crows team-mate, Simon Goodwin) and defender Graham Johncock, who will line-up against their AFL club for the first time.
West Coast veteran David Wirrpanda has been named despite the Eagles playing Collingwood on the same day in Perth in Round 1 of the pre-season NAB Cup, and the club earlier this month ruling him out of the All-Stars clash, which would be his first.
Notable absentees include reigning Coleman medallist Lance Franklin and dual Brownlow medallist Sydney's Adam Goodes, both recovering from post-season surgery and injury.
But it's the lack of senior experience that stands out from the squad, which will be further reduced to 30 on Wednesday.
Last year's No.6 national draft selection, Chris Yarran, leads the troupe yet to play a senior game. The others are Jared Petrenko (Adelaide), Nathan Djerrkura (Geelong), Liam Jurrah (Melbourne), Cruize Garlett (North Melbourne), Liam Bedford and Adam Cockie (West Coast), and Brennan Stack (Western Bulldogs).
Goodes and Swans team-mate Michael O'Loughlin will be assistant coaches to Chris Johnson.
Four clubs -- Collingwood, Fremantle, Richmond and Sydney -- do not have representatives. Despite their sizeable contingent this season, none of Fremantle's six Indigenous players were chosen, the club today citing their 'interrupted pre-seasons' behind their no-show.
McLeod ready to play
INDIGENOUS games record-holder Andrew McLeod yesterday rated playing for 'country' over club rivals that of anything his 304-game AFL career has dished up, even two premierships, two Norm Smith medals and the accolades of being one of football's gifted players.
"I love playing for the Crows," McLeod said. "But to be able to play against my team (Adelaide) and represent my people, it's right up there with the highlights of my career."
McLeod will be among a handful of experienced players leading a young All-Stars side against the Crows in Darwin next week. He also seems to have recovered well enough from post-season surgery on his troublesome knee, so much so that he reports his progress is weeks ahead of schedule, hence his inclusion in the All-Stars.
"I'm probably two or three weeks ahead of where I thought I would be, so it's nice to be in a position where I can make myself available," he said. "Last week I thought I might be a chance if I got through this week and did some decent training on the track."
One player keen on restoring pride to the All-Stars is Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce, who was in the 2007 side that lost to Essendon, the team's first loss.
"I played for the All-Stars a few years back and it was a bit disappointing to lose to Essendon,” Pearce said. "Hopefully, I'll get another run, play against the Crows and, hopefully, have a win this time.
DARREN MONCRIEFF
Darren@AboriginalFootball.com.au
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Last Modified on 02/02/2009 00:05