Jetta and Davis set for All Stars clash
By Bronte Kerr
Swans dynamic duo Lewis Jetta and Abaina Davis will join a raft of skilled Indigenous players when the All Stars side takes on West Coast Eagles on Friday night.
The game against the Eagles on Friday Night ends a week long camp for more than 70 of AFL’s indigenous players.
Of those 70 players, 40 have been selected to flaunt their skills on the big stage.
Lance Franklin continued his training in Sydney throughout the week and has since pulled out of the Indigenous All Stars game with knee soreness.
“I’m disappointed I won’t be part of it for the first time in my career, but is a great event and I hope all the players involved make the most of it,” Franklin told the Swans website.
This year’s game is particularly special for new recruit Abe Davis who is due to make his debut ahead of the 2015 season.
A man of many trades, Davis played basketball at an elite level and was a surf life saver before buckling down and joining the Academy in 2011.
Davis is highly regarded as a versatile key position player and has the capacity to play back or make an impact up forward.
Swans TV sat down with Davis shortly after the 2014 Draft to talk about the Academy and his personal role model Adam Goodes.
“Growing up in Sydney and supporting Sydney my whole life, Adam Goodes has been a massive role model and icon for me. I’ve always followed his career and tried to model my football off him,” Davis said.
Davis takes part in a goal kicking skills test during the 2014 Draft Combine. Image: AFL Media
While it has been all fun and games over the duration of the camp, the All Stars will no doubt take the game on Friday evening seriously.
Speaking to Brad Elborough from WA Today, recently appointed Captain Shaun Burgoyne said to as always expect some razzle dazzle from the players, in addition to some serious highly structured football.
“There is obviously a bit more pride once the jumper comes on,” Burgoyne said.
West Coast will field a relatively inexperienced side against the All Stars, giving a number of senior players a rest ahead of the NAB series and 2015 season.
Fresh legs may be exactly what is required for the Eagles to tackle the All Stars who boast some of the fastest and most agile players in the competition.
The Indigenous All Stars team is as follows:
1. Jack Martin
2. Shane Edwards
3. Jake Neade
4. Jonathon Griffin
5. Jarrod Harbrow
6. Danyle Pearce
7. Stephen Hill
8. Jay Kennedy-Harris
9. Shaun Burgoyne
10. Bradley Hill
13. Jake Long
14. Brady Grey
16. Nathan Wilson
17. Neville Jetta
20. Jarman Impey
21. Jermaine Miller-Lewis
23. Curtly Hampton
25. Sean Lemmons
26. Jarrod Pickett
27. Jarrod Garlett
28. Cameron Ellis-Yolmen
29. Josh McGuinness
32. Lewis Jetta
33. Josh Hill
38. Shaun Edwards
40. Abe Davis
Head Coach: Andy Lovell
Assistant Coaches: Roger Hayden, Xavier Clarke, Anthony Grover
Captain: Shaun Burgoyne
Vice Captain: Jarrod Harbrow
Main Image courtesy of AFL Media