Essendon's Jade Gresham calls for more AFL Indigenous All Stars matches

Essendon's Jade Gresham has stated that the Indigenous All-Stars exhibition match should become an annual fixture on the Australian Football League (AFL) calendar. The All-Stars team is set to face Fremantle in Perth on February 15th, marking their first appearance in a decade.

Gresham has been selected for the star-studded lineup, which includes 31 Indigenous players from 16 clubs. The team boasts 7 All-Australians, 10 premiership players, 7 top-20 national draft picks, and 3 Coleman Medalists. "It's an honour," Gresham said. "I can't wait to get out there with the Indigenous boys from other clubs and represent our culture."

Gresham added, "All the players are keen to play, so if we can get this as an annual thing, it would be fantastic. It's an honour and a privilege to represent your culture. You're representing your culture, your family, and your friends, so to be able to do that is really important, and I think we should be doing it more."

Former number one draft pick Jason Horne-Francis, two-time All-Australian Charlie Cameron, Norm Smith medalist Bobby Hill, and three-time premiership player Bradley Hill are among the leading names in the expanded All-Stars squad, which will be trimmed down in the coming days. Fremantle captain Alex Pearce, goalsneak Michael Walters, and new recruit Shay Bolton are all expected to line up against their Fremantle teammates.

Gresham, a Yorta Yorta man, indicated that the exhibition match will be highly competitive. "The boys will be going hard," he said. "Once we get out there, it'll be competitive, so I'm sure we'll put on a good show for the fans and everyone."