Alex Pearce ahead of the 2025 Indigenous All Stars game. Picture: AFL Photos

SOME of the AFL's most talented players will line up for the Indigenous All-Stars when they take on Fremantle in Perth on Saturday, February 15.

Former No.1 pick Jason Horne-Francis, two-time All-Australian Charlie Cameron, Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, triple premiership player Bradley Hill and St Kilda young gun Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera all feature in the extended list, with the final playing squad to be finalised closer to the game.

Three Fremantle-listed players will line up against their side, with new Docker Shai Bolton, Freo captain Alex Pearce and 2019 All-Australian Michael Walters named in the All-Stars squad.

INDIGENOUS ALL-STARS Get your tickets NOW

Jy Simpkin and Jade Gresham have added their voices to calls for the Indigenous All Stars exhibition match, which is this being played for the first time in a decade, to be made an annual fixture on the calendar.

North Melbourne captain Simpkin and Essendon forward Gresham were part of the extended squad that features 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players from 16 clubs.

It includes seven All-Australians, 10 premiership players, seven top-20 national draft picks, and three mark-of-the-year winners.

Shai Bolton poses for a photo in the 2025 Indigenous All-Stars playing guernsey. Picture: AFL Photos

"It's an honour. I just 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."

Exciting Geelong pair Tyson Stengle and Lawson Humphries are also named in the squad, as are Carlton's Zac Williams and Jesse Motlop.

West Coast star Tim Kelly and inexperienced ruck Coen Livingstone were also picked, alongside club teammate Liam Ryan, who had already been named, to face their cross-town rivals Fremantle.

Gresham, a proud Yorta Yorta man, is certain the exhibition clash will be played with intensity.

"The boys are going to go in and have a crack," he said.

"Once we're out on the field it's a bit competitive, so I'm sure we'll put on a good show for the fans and everyone."

Jade Gresham celebrates a goal during Essendon's clash against Fremantle in round 21, 2024. Picture: AFL Photos

Gresham, now in his second year at Essendon, is most excited about reuniting with former St Kilda teammate Bradley Hill.

The Saints' experienced speedster will line up against one of his former clubs for the All-Stars against Fremantle.

"I miss playing with him and miss being around him," Gresham said.

"I love him, so I'm looking forward to playing alongside him."

Sydney and Greater Western Sydney are the only clubs without representation in the All-Stars squad.

Port Adelaide is best represented in the squad with four players: Jase Burgoyne, Jeremy Finlayson, Willie Rioli and Horne-Francis

Veteran defenders Steven May (Melbourne) and Liam Jones (Western Bulldogs) have also been picked after last featuring for the All Stars in 2013, though Jones is in doubt because of a hamstring injury.

Steven May poses for a photo during Melbourne's official team photo day on January 29, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

"As a kid growing up in Darwin, I always dreamed of being part of it," May said.

"I was lucky enough to play back in 2013 and it's pretty surreal that I get that opportunity again.

"It's a privilege to represent our culture on the big stage.

"It's also a great chance for us to come together, from different cultures and backgrounds, to play the game that we all love."

02:17

Fremantle captain Alex Pearce (ankle), goal sneak Michael Walters (knee) and new recruit Shai Bolton (calf) are also facing fitness concerns as they seek to play against their Dockers teammates.

Simpkin is "pumped" to pull on the All-Stars jumper after a long wait.

"As a kid you grow up watching these games - watching guys like Cyril Rioli, Buddy Franklin, Adam Goodes play in these games - and it's something that you always want to do," the 26-year-old said on Monday.

"Last time I think I played with a group of brothers was probably in under-16s for the Flying Boomerangs nearly 10 years ago.

"It's super special and I'm very proud to be playing this game.

"Hopefully going forward with the AFL it can become more of a continuous thing, not once every so often."

Jy Simpkin poses during North Melbourne's 2024 team photo day at Arden Street. Picture: AFL Photos

The All Stars have played six games this century for four wins and two losses, with the team's most recent fixture a narrow defeat to West Coast at Leederville Oval in 2015.

All Stars coach Xavier Clarke is a keen observer of the NRL's equivalent showpiece and hopes the upcoming AFL fixture prompts debate around more regular matches for the Indigenous team.

"They do an amazing job, so if we can get to that level I think it would be an amazing result," Clarke said.

"The players now - it's been 10 years - they're all putting their hands up.

"They're all excited to play, which has been a pleasing thing for us, to be able to put the game together.

"I would like to see it become a bit more regular fixture."

The Indigenous All-Stars have played six games this century for four wins and two losses.

The team's most recent fixture was a narrow defeat to West Coast at Leederville Oval in 2015.

Indigenous All-Stars Squad 

Callum Ah Chee – Noongar, Palyku and Nyikina, Yawuru  
Karl Amon - Noonuccal
Shai Bolton - Minang and Wilman
Jase Burgoyne – Kokatha, Larraki, Warai
Charlie Cameron – Waanyi and Lardil  
Jeremy Finlayson - Yorta Yorta
Jade Gresham - Yorta Yorta
Bobby Hill – Whadjuk, Ballardong, Noongar  
Brad Hill – Wilmen, Noongar
Jason Horne-Francis - Wardaman 
Lawson Humphries - Nyul Nyul, Oomiday, Worrora
Jarman Impey - Yorta Yorta
Joel Jeffrey – Kukatj, Wulwulam
Ash Johnson – Jaru, Kija
Liam Jones - Kija
Tim Kelly – Noongar, Wongi, Yamatji
Coen Livingstone – Balardong, Noongar
Ben Long – Anmatjerre
Steven May - Larrakia
Jesse Motlop - Larrakia
Alex Pearce - Palawa
Kysaiah Pickett – Yamatji, Noongar  
Willie Rioli – Tiwi
Maurice Rioli jnr - Tiwi
Liam Ryan – Yamatji  
Izak Rankine - Kokatha and Ngarrindjeri
Tyson Stengle – Wirangu
Jy Simpkin - Yorta Yorta
Michael Walters – Whadjuk, Wilmen and Ngarrindjeri  
Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera – Kokatha, Narangga
Zac Williams - Wiradjuri