CARLTON small forward pair Jesse Motlop and Zac Williams will head to Perth on Saturday 15 February, with both named in the Indigenous All Stars squad.
Taking on Fremantle at Optus Stadium, the representative clash returns to the AFL pre-season fixture, with Motlop and Williams included this morning in the 31-player squad.
Representing Larrakia and Wiradjuri respectively, Motlop joins a number of family members who previously featured in the squad, while Williams returns after joining the last Indigenous camp back in 2015 when at GWS although didn’t make the final team.
Returning for the first time in 10 years, both Blues will be looking to put their best foot forward as the competition’s best Indigenous players come together in one team to put on a show.
A move to the forward line reinvigorated Williams last year, kicking 15 goals from 10 games in the second half of 2024, while 21-year-old Motlop has turned the heads of everyone at IKON Park this pre-season ahead of his fourth season in Navy Blue.
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Motlop, speaking on the Summer Sessions podcast last month, said the opportunity to represent the Indigenous All Stars would be an honour - having grown up watching them over a decade ago.
“It’d be an unbelievable honour to play for that team. I remember being at the last one at Leederville Oval in WA, being a little kid and supporting all the players. I’d sit on the race, high five them all and tell them I’m Daniel Motlop’s son.
“I always loved watching those games, seeing all the players come together and how fun it looks. The energy they give each other, it’s not something you can recreate and it’s so natural.
“Dad played at TIO Stadium, which was pretty special for him in the hometown. Two of the players, one’s my godfather and another is my little brother’s godfather - Aaron Davey and Daniel Wells. It’s pretty special to be able to play with people you’re so close and have that connection with, plus such skilful players as well.
“Hopefully one day we can get there.”
Tickets to the game at Optus Stadium can be purchased here.
