Australia’s all-indigenous team of AFL stars are just a few hours out from facing Ireland in the first of two International Rules Tests, and courtesy of some state-of-the-art camera work, the AFL has released a look inside the one of the squad’s practice sessions.
The 33-man squad aren’t taking the responsibility lightly, using their off-season to take on a new footy challenge. Using a specialised set of sunglasses, Chris Johnson recorded one of the al-indigenous team’s International Rules lead up sessions as he runs instructions from the coaching panel, led by coach Michael O’Loughlin, to the playing group.
The Aussie All Stars take on Ireland later today in Cavan before facing off again on the 26th in Dublin for the second and final Test.
“Every one of the guys in this squad is about to go and represent Australia overseas and defend our nation’s sporting honour in this series,” O’Loughlin told AFL.com.au earlier in the week.
“And they’re doing that proudly even though their history – the 40,000-year history of Indigenous Australians – isn’t recognised in our nation’s Constitution, when it should be.”
“The long presence of Aboriginal people in this land is part of Australia’s history. I think every fair-minded Australian can understand why recognition will help us to heal old wounds.”
“This is something that’s important to me personally, and to my family, so that the long history of Australia can be understood and valued by future generations of Australians, black and white.”
Australian All-Indigenous International Rules Squad
Tony Armstrong (Sydney), Harley Bennell (Gold Coast), Eddie Betts (Carlton), Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn), Allen Christensen (Geelong), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Alwyn Davey (Essendon), Courtenay Dempsey (Essendon), Shane Edwards (Richmond), Lance Franklin (Sydney), Adam Goodes (Sydney), Curtly Hampton (Greater Western Sydney), Bradley Hill (Hawthorn), Josh Hill (West Coast), Stephen Hill (Fremantle), Leroy Jetta (Essendon), Lewis Jetta (Sydney), Michael Johnson (Fremantle), Andrew Krakouer (Collingwood), Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon), Brandon Matera (Gold Coast), Ash McGrath (Brisbane), Steven Motlop (Geelong), Danyle Pearce (Fremantle), Patrick Ryder (Essendon), Mathew Stokes (Geelong), Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne), Travis Varcoe (Geelong), Andrew Walker (Carlton), Michael Walters (Fremantle), Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast), Daniel Wells (North Melbourne), Chris Yarran (Carlton)
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