Fremantle assistant coach Jaymie Graham says the Dockers ‘jumped at’ the opportunity to participate in this weekend’s Indigenous All-Stars exhibition match.
For the first time in a decade, the Indigenous All-Stars will take the field again, this time, at Optus Stadium and against Fremantle.
The side, led by Docker Michael Walters, contains some of the biggest names in the AFL including Charlie Cameron, Liam Ryan, Steven May, Izak Rankine, Kysaiah Pickett and Jason Horne-Francis, with Brad Hill and Jarmen Impey rounding out the Leadership group.
This match is one of two preseason hit outs for the Dockers before they head to Geelong for Round One of the AFL home and away season.
Speaking to SportFM ahead of the clash, Graham says the Dockers are proud to be involved and are embracing the challenge.
“We know the All-Stars and what this game means to them and playing for their people and their culture.
“We hear our boys, and Sonny in particular, the way he speaks about it and the opportunity to play and then Roger Hayden who’s involved at the club, it means so much to them.
“We know they’re going to come and play and same with us.
“We’ve practiced all pre-season being really competitive and having a play to win mindset. That’s what we will be doing this week, as well as seeing how some of our game plan and style on holds up against the challenging opposition.”
Fremantle has a proud history when it comes to representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, with 50 indigenous players having been drafted to the club across the AFL and AFLW programs.
During Sir Doug Nicholls Round in 2017, the Dockers also broke the AFL record for having the most First Nations players in a playing 22, with eight players taking the field.
There have only been three games in Fremantle’s history where First Nations player hasn’t featured in the starting line-up – a track record Fremantle can be proud of.
One of those three games was last year during their one-point win against Sydney at the SCG in Round 16.
“It was the first time in 20 years that we hadn’t had an Indigenous player represent the club,” said Graham.
“I think Pearcey and Sunny both had injuries on that day, so it was quite sad really.
“We’ve got a proud history, the club really celebrate and recognise that on a daily basis. We’re really privileged to be a part of it and when we got the opportunity the club jumped at it.
“It’s going to be a great crowd. From what I’m hearing it’s going to be over 30,000, if not more. I think everyone’s itching for it to come back. It’s going to be good to watch and we’re really proud to be a part of it.”
Fremantle will be without new recruit Shai Bolton and Walter, who will be lining up for the All-Stars, while Pearce – who was initially selected to play for the All-Stars, and gun midfielder Hayden Young are set to miss out.
Bolton was at risk of missing the exhibition match due to a calf issue. However, he overcame the injury and is set to play his first game since moving back to WA – just not for the Dockers.
Graham says the former Tiger was ‘pretty keen’ to play in Saturday’s match.
“He got through his reconditioning phase and trained fully the other day and moved really well,” he said.
“I think his calf is alright. He stepped around a couple of our players inside 50 and snapped some goals. It’s great to see him playing, we’re obviously excited to see what he can do for us.
It’s important week for him playing in the All-Stars. He’s done really well to get himself up and ready for this game.
“He’s had a few interruptions, but for most part he’s been able to get out there and we’ve seen some exciting things from him and he’s going to add to our team for sure.”