From the moment the first West Coast Eagles squad was assembled there has been a deep connection between the club and Indigenous players.

That initial 35-man list included three first Australian descendants – Wally Matera, Phil Narkle and Chris Lewis. Exceptional young men and immensely talented players.

Narkle was already recognised as an all-Australian and Sandover medallist, a gifted wingman from Bunbury who was a wonderful contributor to Swan Districts and was then recruited by St Kilda.

Matera was the first of three exceptional brothers to play for the club. A plucky rover he later played with distinction at Fitzroy and like those who followed his pathway to elite football, first played with great success at South Fremantle

Lewis was one of the outstanding young players of his generation, a personification of skill and class. In 1990 he was probably the best player in the competition, when he won both the Club Champion Award and all-Australian selection.

He was just 21 at the time and played in two premierships and 215 games for the Eagles – the second Indigenous player behind Nicky Winmar to play 200 AFL games – and was both a wonderfully balanced and natural footballer.

From the time that Lewis debuted in the club’s first game in March 1987 against Richmond, to last Saturday when Jamaine Jones stepped out for the first time in Eagles colours 34 Indigenous players have represented the club.

Many more have been on the club’s list without cracking a game, but we have been gloriously entertained by all of them. 

Lewis was player No.12 in the order of representation, while Jones became No.250 when he played against Port Adelaide.

Seven Indigenous players are premiership heroes – Lewis (1992 and 1994), Peter Matera (1992 and 1994), Shane Bond (1994), David Wirrpanda (2006), Lewis Jetta (2018), Liam Ryan (2018) and Willie Rioli (2018).

Lewis, Matera (253) and Wirrpanda (227) are 200 game players for the club, while Jetta played his 200^th AFL game last Saturday, 127 with Sydney and 73 with the Eagles. Significantly, in Jetta’s milestone match, the club had a record-equalling five Indigenous players in the same game.

Joining Jones and Jetta in the team were Tim Kelly, Brendon Ah Chee and Ryan. It was the 10^th time in the 33-year history the club has been so strongly represented by its Indigenous culture. 

Against the Swans at Metricon Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the West Coast Eagles will wear an Indigenous guernsey designed by Darryl Bellotti, a cousin of former player Laurie, who hailed from Carnarvon and played under Mick Malthouse in the 90s.

The guernsey will be worn in recognition of NAIDOC week and provides the club with the opportunity to recognise its Indigenous players both past and present.  

Highest Indigenous representation in a game throughout West Coast Eagles history