With only 12 days to go the countdown is on until the 2025 Toyota AFL Indigenous All Stars game, as the AFL unveils the full Indigenous All Stars squad for the match in the west.
A total of 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AFL players from 16 clubs will take part in the February 15 match against Fremantle, which includes seven All Australians, nine premiership players, six top ten draft picks, and three Mark of the Year winners.
Port Adelaide FC will have four representatives in the squad with Jase Burgoyne, Jeremy Finlayson, Jason Horne-Francis and Willie Rioli all selected. They will be joined by Geelong’s rising star Lawson Humphries and 2022 Premiership player and All Australian, Tyson Stengle.
No strangers to the All Stars squad, two members of the 2013 All Stars team have also been selected including Melbourne FC premiership player Steven May, and Western Bulldogs defender, Liam Jones.
Gold Coast will be represented with the inclusion of Joel Jeffrey and Ben Long, while West Coast’s Coen Livingstone and Tim Kelly will line up against their cross-town rivals as they pull on the All Stars guernsey.
More Victorian clubs will also be represented as North Melbourne’s Captain Jy Simpkin, Richmond’s star forward Maurice Rioli and Hawthorn’s Karl Amon join the team. The All Stars have also recruited fellow Melbourne-based players Jade Gresham from Essendon, Collingwood’s Ash Johnson, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera from St Kilda, along with Jesse Motlop and Zac Williams from Carlton.
2013 All Stars squad member and 2021 Premiership player for Melbourne, Steven May, said he was looking forward to playing in the side once again.
“As a kid growing up in Darwin, I always dreamed of being part of it. I was lucky enough to play back in 2013, and it’s pretty surreal that I get that opportunity again,” May said.
“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. Hopefully we can put on a good show.”
Port young gun Jason Horne-Francis was excited to be part of the match and celebration.
“I’m really excited to be selected to play in the Indigenous All Stars game. To have four boys included from Port Adelaide is great recognition for our club,” Horne-Francis said.
“It’s an honour to represent my culture on the football field, and to play alongside some of the most talented players in the league.”
Geelong rising star Lawson Humphries said he was honoured to represent the Indigenous All Stars.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent my culture and family with the Indigenous All Stars. Growing up, I admired players like Adam Goodes, Lewis Jetta, and Sonny (Michael Walters), who inspired me to play footy. To now be a part of the All Stars is something I’m truly proud of, especially sharing this experience with a close teammate in Tyson Stengle, ” Humphries said.
“Being able to play alongside some of the league’s best, and players who have played a pivotal role in driving social change both in society and within the AFL, is a real privilege. This opportunity will be a great learning experience for me as I deepen my connections within the AFL and gain a better understanding of both culture and the game.
“Being a Kimberley boy that grew up in the Pilbara, to be able to represent my culture and background surrounded by friends and family in the stands is something I won't take for granted. Being so far away it's hard for them to watch my games, so to play in front of them, whilst representing them is exciting, and to do it against the team my family barracked for makes it even more special.”
Indigenous All Stars Head Coach Xavier Clarke said the selection committee were fortunate with so many talented Indigenous players available.
“It was fantastic to see so many players available to play in the game. It’s an exciting squad and I can’t wait to coach such a great list of players against Fremantle,” Clarke said.
“I am in a fortunate position of having so much talent to work with and I can’t wait to see the boys put on a show.”
The 20 players announced today joined Fremantle’s Shai Bolton, Alex Pearce and Michael Walters, Adelaide Crows young gun Izak Rankine, 2015 Indigenous All Stars team member and current Hawthorn player Jarman Impey, Brisbane premiership players Charlie Cameron and Callum Ah Chee, West Coast premiership player Liam Ryan, 2023 Norm Smith Medallist and Collingwood Premiership player Bobby Hill, three-time Premiership player for Hawthorn and now St Kilda star Bradley Hill and Melbourne Premiership player, Kysaiah Pickett.
Tickets are on sale now and prices start at $10 for a junior under 15, and $35 for an adult, with family tickets (two adults and two juniors) only $70, allowing juniors to attend for free.
The 2025 Toyota AFL Indigenous All Stars match will take place on Saturday, 15 February 2025 at Optus Stadium in Perth, with the Indigenous All Stars taking on Fremantle as part of the AFL pre-season fixture.
For tickets and more information head to afl.com.au/allstars
Indigenous All Stars Squad
Callum Ah Chee – Noongar, Palyku and Nyikina, Yawuru
Karl Amon - Noonuccal
Shai Bolton - Minang and Wilman
Jase Burgoyne – Kokatha, Larrakia, 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 - 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