After a decade absence, the return of the Indigenous All Stars aims to inspire

Hopes are high the AFL’s Indigenous All Stars game will leave a lasting legacy.

The Indigenous All Stars have not been in action since 2015, but that decade-long absence will be broken on Saturday evening when they face Fremantle in front of more than 30,000 fans at Perth Stadium.

The number of Indigenous players in the competition has dropped from a record high 86 in 2020 to 63 this year.

The AFL is working hard to boost those numbers again and hopes the reintroduction of the Indigenous All Stars concept will help further inspire the next generation.

The likes of Shai Bolton, Charlie Cameron, Michael Walters, Bobby Hill, Jason Horne-Francis, Tim Kelly, Steven May, Kysaiah Pickett, Izak Rankine, Willie Rioli, Liam Ryan and Jy Simpkin are among the star-studded squad.

Star Bulldogs forward Jamarra Ugle-Hagan wasn’t named after being placed on a flexible training program at his club while he deals with personal issues.

The 22-year-old is almost certain to miss the early part of the season, but he has linked up with the Indigenous All Stars squad in what shapes as an important part of his healing journey.

“These things don’t come around very often,” Indigenous All Stars coach Xavier Clarke said.

“And for us as a community and brothers to be able to wrap our arms around him and get him around our group, if that helps him get back and doing what he loves doing — and that’s playing AFL footy — if we can play a part in that, I think that’s only a good thing.

“If he’s sitting at home watching the game … I’d rather have him here with us, so it’s great to see him.

“He looks like he’s in good spirits, and I’ve got no doubt he’ll be back to where he needs to be in no time.”

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was thrilled to see the Indigenous game back on the calendar.

“I think it’s just a really special occasion to be able to go out there and be a part of what hopefully is a real legacy piece within the competition,” Longmuir said.

“It’s been missing from the calendar for too long, and it’s great that it’s reinvigorated now.

“Hopefully we can show tomorrow that it’s a worthwhile event that we can have every year, every second year.

“It’s a really important stepping stone for our preparations for round one, but it’s also a really important legacy piece to inspire the next generation.”

AAP