Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup between the Indigenous All Stars and the Fremantle Dockers is fast approaching, with West Coast Eagles teammates Tim Kelly and Coen Livingstone eager to suit up in the All Stars side.

Kelly expressed his excitement for the game, and what it means to be selected in the squad.

“It means a lot and it’s going to be a pretty special game,” Kelly said.

“It’s something I will definitely look back on once I’ve finished up and think it was pretty cool to be a part of it.

“I’m looking forward to representing my family, my people and my culture.”

In a fascinating start to his career, young ruck Livingstone will don the All Stars guernsey on Saturday, before making his AFL debut for the Eagles.

“The nerves are pretty high, I’m sure they will be high as we get closer to Saturday,” Livingstone said.

“I’m super honoured and proud to be a part of the team, and getting to play with ‘TK’ (Tim Kelly) in my first game will be unreal.”

Showing positive signs in the WAFL in 2024, Livingstone said he already has some experience against emerging Dockers ruck Liam Reidy.

“I’ve played against Reidy in the WAFL, I think I’ll have some tricks against him, but I’m sure he will have some against us,” Livingstone said.

“It will be a good matchup, I’m just super stoked to get out there and play.”

Selected in a lineup that includes stars such as Kysaiah Pickett (Melbourne), Bobby Hill (Collingwood) and Charlie Cameron (Brisbane), the Eagles’ pair are looking forward to linking up with Indigenous talent from across the League.  

“Honestly, (I’m excited to play with) all the boys,” Kelly said.

“There are so many boys, from top to bottom, stacked with talent, and guys who can really turn the game on, and I’m just excited to play with all of them.”

Joined in the squad by Kelly and Liam Ryan, Livingstone said he’s looking forward to playing his first game along side his Eagles’ teammates.

“Definitely ‘TK’ and ‘Fly’ (Liam Ryan), I’m excited to play with them for the first time,” Livingstone said.

“It’s a really talented side, they’re all guns across the league so it will be amazing to watch them and see how they go about it.”

Dockers veteran Michael Walters will captain the Indigenous All Stars on Saturday, with Kelly sharing fond memories of his All-Australian teammate.

“It’s going to be pretty cool, I’ve got memories of being at South Fremantle and pulling up to train and ‘Sonny’ (Walters) would hang about and have conversations with guys like me and Marlon Pickett and some of the boys,” Kelly said.

“Watching from afar and growing up, he’s someone who I can always lean on.

“I think it was 2019, we were both in the All-Australian team, and that was pretty cool as well.

“He’s someone I look up to as a big bro and it’s going to be awesome having him as a skipper on Saturday.”