Essendon's Andrew Lovett and Nathan Lovett-Murray have been named in the Qantas Indigenous All-Star squad of 33 players ahead of the match against the Adelaide Crows at TIO Stadium in Darwin this Saturday.
 
""It's an honour to be named because you get to play with Indigenous players from other clubs that you admire and it's also great to represent Indigenous Australians,"" Lovett said.
 
""We haven't really spoken about our game plan but we have a training session this afternoon and will get more information after that.
 
""I think playing this game is a good thing for me because I missed the majority of the pre-season last year so it's good to get some games into me early. It puts me in a good position for the NAB Cup and Round 1 of the season.
 
""I am feeling good, I've done everything on the track and I am excited about playing again because it has been a long pre-season and it's about to get serious and I am excited.""
 
The biennial match showcases the growing Indigenous talent in the AFL.
 
In 2009 there are 82 Indigenous players listed with AFL clubs, which represents 11 percent of the playing group and a new VFL/AFL record.

The All-Stars will be coached by Brisbane Lions’ development coach Chris Johnson. Chris commenced his coaching career with the Lions in 2008 after retiring with 264 games and three premiership medals. He is currently the only Indigenous AFL coach.

The All-Star assistant coaches will be Sydney Swans veterans Adam Goodes and Michael O’Loughlin.

“To have Goodes and O’Loughlin involved is fantastic as coaching is another important area of Indigenous football development. With over 500 games experience between them their input will be invaluable,"" Johnson said.

“I’m delighted to have the chance to coach such an impressive group of players. The young Indigenous players’ opportunity to train with some of the game’s best such as McLeod, Burgoyne and Wirrpanda is outstanding.

“I look forward to our training sessions in Darwin this week.""

Qantas Indigenous All-Star Squad:

Jonathon Griffin (Adelaide), Graham Johncock (Adelaide), Andrew McLeod (Adelaide), Jarrahn Jacky (Adelaide), Jared Petrenko (Adelaide), Ashley McGrath (Brisbane Lions), Albert Proud (Brisbane Lions), Chris Yarran (Carlton), Andrew Lovett (Essendon), Nathan Lovett-Murray (Essendon), Nathan Djerrkura (Geelong), Mathew Stokes (Geelong),Travis Varcoe (Geelong), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn), Cameron Stokes (Hawthorn), Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Liam Jurrah (Melbourne), Matt Campbell (North Melbourne), Lindsay Thomas (North Melbourne), Cruzie Garlett (North Melbourne), Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide), Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide), Marlon Motlop (Port Adelaide), Danyle Pearce (Port Adelaide), Raphael Clarke (St Kilda), David Wirrpanda (West Coast), Liam Bedford (West Coast), Adam Cockie (West Coast), Jarrod Harbrow (Western Bulldogs), Joshua Hill (Western Bulldogs), Malcolm Lynch (Western Bulldogs), Brennan Stack (Western Bulldogs).

The squad has been selected by three-time premiership player Darryl White, AFL PA Indigenous Program Manager Cory McGrath, AFL Indigenous Programs Manager Jason Mifsud and coach Chris Johnson.

The final team of 30 players will be selected this Wednesday following training.

The annual AFL Players’ Association Indigenous Player Camp is being held in Darwin from today to Wednesday.
 
The three-day camp will bring together 63 Indigenous players and will include an Indigenous leadership program, guest speakers and a map presentation by the players.
 
The All-star match will be on air on ABC1 at 11.20pm local time in each state on Saturday 7 February.