Indigenous International Rules squad named

The AFL today announced the names of the players eligible for selection in the Indigenous Australian Rules team which will play in the 2013 International Rules Series in Ireland.

Queenslander Courtney Dempsey has made the list as have Brisbane Lion Ash McGrath and Gold Coast SUNS duo Brandon Matera and Harley Bennell.

Supported by Coles and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the Indigenous Australian Rules team will play Test matches in Cavan and Dublin in October.

Head Coach Michael O’Loughlin made the squad announcement of 33 players at a special event held at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Sydney.

Representing the AFL Indigenous playing group, Hawthorn forward Lance Franklin and Sydney Swans forward Adam Goodes were in attendance.

AFL General Manager of Football Operations Mark Evans said this year’s International Rules Series is a significant and historic event in Australia’s Game.

“The series is a fantastic opportunity for the Indigenous All-Stars to come together as a team and to represent Australia for the first time in the International Rules series against Ireland.

“The Indigenous Australian Rules team will be made up of a very exciting and competitive list, which will showcase our Indigenous talent and I’m confident will do Australia proud.

“The final squad of 21 players which will travel to Ireland will be released following the Toyota AFL Grand Final Series.”

Michael O’Loughlin will be supported by a senior coaching panel to be made up of Rodney Eade, Tadhg Kennelly, Andrew McLeod and Alan Richardson.

In the most recent series in Ireland in 2010 Australia secured a 2-0 victory under former coach Mick Malthouse, before losing 2-0 in Australia in 2011.

Coles is the official partner of the AFL Indigenous program, including the International Rules Series, which aims to deliver football, health, education, leadership and employment opportunities for Indigenous people.

The partnership extends to the elite level to include the Indigenous All-Stars, celebrating cultural identity in Australia’s Game and strengthening Indigenous development in Australia.

The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) represents the 150 health services across Australia that are run by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people.

These services are proven to be making a difference to the lives of people in their own communities – improving Aboriginal health, providing Aboriginal employment and working to close the appalling health gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

Partnering with the AFL for the 2013 International Rules Series, NACCHO aims to spread Aboriginal health messages into communities across the country.

Players eligible to be selected in the Indigenous Australian Rules team: