Former Indigenous All-Star Josh Carter encourages the recently announced squad to soak it in, ten years after he played in the exhibition match. 

The All-Stars’ extended squad was announced on Monday with some of the AFL’s most talented players named for the preseason exhibition match against Fremantle later this month. 

The current squad features 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, with 16 of the 18 AFL clubs represented. Only Sydney and GWS Giants missed out on having representation in the side.

There is also a wealth of talent and experience across the board, with seven All-Australians, 10 premiership players, seven top 20 national draft picks, two club captains and three mark-of-the-year winners. 

Former number one draft pick Jason Horne-Francis, two-time All-Australia Charlie Cameron, Norm Smith Medallist Bobby Hill and three-time premiership player Brad Hill are just some of the names headlining the extended squad, with the playing side finalised closer to the game.

Former Indigenous All-Star Josh Carter says the match is an ‘exciting’ opportunity for the players to play alongside their Indigenous peers. 

“It’s great the clubs are supportive of each player,” he told SportFM

“The game itself has grown such a long way in terms of recognition for culture. All these names you see coming across for the All-Star game – it’s going to be a huge event.

“All these supporters over there in WA are very privileged to be able to watch these boys put on a jumper and play alongside each other. 

“I was grateful to play alongside the greats and I think for them, it’s just exciting for them to put on a jumper and hopefully they put on a great show for the crowd.”  

Since its’ announcement, many players – including Jy Simpkin and Jade Gresham, have called for the All-Stars match to become a permanent, annual fixture after taking a decade-long hiatus from the AFL calendar. 

Carter was selected in the last All-Stars squad that took the field against his former side, West Coast at Leederville Oval in 2015. 

Eight members of the 2015 26-man squad were also named a decade later in the 2025 extended squad, including Charlie Cameron, Steven May and Brad Hill. 

The squad also included some of the AFL’s greats, like Adam Goodes, Buddy Franklin, Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli. 

Since that last match, Carter believes the game has come a a long way regarding the recognition of First Nations players and their culture within the AFL.  

“How it’s getting acknowledged is an amazing thing for Aboriginal people and the Torres Strait Islanders to play in this game,” he said.

“It’s a special occasion, I think, being 10 years away from it now, a lot’s changed in that time. The AFL has really grown in terms of recognition for culture. It’s amazing to see how supporters are looking forward to this occasion as well. 

“We see the NRL putting on this game all the time and we see the audience just get involved and the attendance is amazing. 

“They get people coming along to this great occasion and I think for us in the AFL, it’s amazing that we’re getting to that point now as well. 

“For these young players, I think it’s exciting for them, and I know there’s older boys that are getting on with their careers, but for them, it’s a special occasion for them to wear and play alongside all these boys.” 

Fremantle trio Alex Pearce (Ankle), Michael Walters (Knee) and Shai Bolton (Calf) will be sweating their fitness ahead of the match against their current AFL club, with injury clouds surrounding all three players. 

Looking at their crosstown rivals, West Coast are represented by Liam Ryan, Tim Kelly and an inexperienced Coen Livingstone. 

The 19 year-old ruck could debut against Fremantle for the All-Stars and play in the ruck, with limited ruck stocks available for the All-Stars.

Carter advised Livingstone to enjoy the moment and experience, should he get the nod in the final playing side.

“You’ve just got to have that reliance and leadership to rely on to get through the game and it’s going to be an exciting one,” he said.

“Just really go there and enjoy it. Don’t fear for what it is. Just really put the jumper on with pride and play with passion and things will just fall into the place as you have that natural instinct of the footballer. 

“To see the players alongside you, that’s what takes you to that next level where the adrenaline kicks in. You really, really enjoy the moment and soak it in for what it is.” 

IMAGE: Richmond Tigers