West Aussies dominate early All Stars picks ahead of salivating Indigenous football showcase

The very best Indigenous players in the country are locked in to play at Optus Stadium in February, with western derby rivals Michael Walters and Liam Ryan to link up as teammates.

Dockers veteran Walters and Eagle high-flyer Ryan are among the early squad selections, alongside Collingwood’s Norm Smith medallist Bobby Hill, St Kilda’s Bradley Hill, Melbourne premiership player Kysaiah Pickett and two-time All Australian Charlie Cameron.

Cameron’s flag winning teammate Callum Ah Chee has also been picked for the Indigenous All-Stars’ first game since 2015.

The AFL’s leading Indigenous players campaigned behind the scenes to revive the fixture as part of the pre-season.

“I’m really excited to be a part of it. It’s one of the games I grew up watching and I’ve always wanted to play in it,” Walters said.

“I was unfortunately injured for the last game in 2015 so I can’t wait to run out with the boys in February.

“Obviously with it being here in Perth, hoping to get a good crowd at Optus Stadium and it’ll be great to be around the Indigenous stars of the competition.”

Mt Isa-born Cameron shifted to WA at age 17 and was drafted to the Adelaide Crows from Swan Districts before his move to the Lions.

“The opportunity to represent the AFL Indigenous All Stars team is extremely special to me, and I am honoured to play alongside the game’s best indigenous talent,” Cameron said.

“I hope this match will inspire the next generation of indigenous players to follow their dream of one day playing AFL.”

Walters could be joined by Dockers captain Alex Pearce and gun recruit Shai Bolton, with West Coast midfielder Tim Kelly also a likely later inclusion in the All Stars squad.

The 2015 All Stars lost by just eight points to West Coast in 2015 at Leederville Oval. Previous games have been also held in Darwin and Alice Springs.

Former St Kilda and Brisbane midfielder Xavier Clarke will coach the All Stars, with an eight-man bench in use.

“It is exciting to see the calibre of players that are committing to the game,” Clarke said.

“To have the best players available, including a number of premiership players, and have the opportunity to coach them is something I am thrilled to get to do.

“What’s more exciting is this is only the first wave of player announcements and we will have more top players to join the squad in the coming months and can’t wait to put on a great game for fans.”

Tickets will go on sale at Ticketmaster on Wednesday, December 18.