The upcoming Indigenous Camp and All Stars game against West Coast is all about education for Michael Walters.
The Fremantle forward will join 71 other Indigenous stars from the AFL for a week-long camp in Perth that will culminate in a game against the Eagles at Medibank Stadium on Friday 20 February.
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“It’s very important for the 72 Indigenous boys to get around each other,” Walters said.
“It’s a big group, and to have them here in Perth is quite good, especially when we are all staying together for the week.
“In the past couple of years I haven’t managed to get a game, but this year I’m feeling pretty good and hopefully all goes well from here on and I get a gig.”
Joined by good friend Nic Naitanui in a media conference at Leederville on Tuesday to promote the game, Walters said it would be an honour to take part in the camp and the game.
‘Son Son’ said he was most looking forward to mixing with and learning from AFL superstars such as Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin and Cyril Rioli.
“To learn from boys like ‘Buddy’ and Cyril Rioli, who I try to match my game up against, is quite an honour and hopefully I learn a bit more,” he said.
“They are the benchmark of the competition.
“Buddy’s played with boys like Kurt Tippett, and Cyril has (Jarryd) Roughead, so you can learn heaps.
“I’m pretty sure they want to learn a bit more, as well.”
Walters said he’d always closely followed three-time premiership winner Rioli.
“He’s pretty quick and he can also take a good mark,” he said.
“I want to build the relationship with him and try and learn a bit more off him.”
Former Freo Indigenous stars Dale Kickett, Troy Cook, Des Headland and Antoni Grover will also assist in the Indigenous Camp and All Stars game.
WATCH: Indigenous boys back together
