Chol, Andrew helping blaze African trail in the AFL
Shayne Hope and Murray Wenzel |
AFL stars Mac Andrew and Mabior Chol are proud of the growing number of African players making their mark, insisting the competition can only be better for it.
Gold Coast defender Andrew, who signed one of the richest contracts in league history last year, and Hawthorn forward Chol are among the most prominent players of African descent this season.
A total of 21 are on AFL club lists, understood to be a league record, as well as 19 in the elite under-age Coates Talent League.
The expanding group at the top level includes premiership defender Isaac Quaynor (Collingwood), Aliir Aliir (Port Adelaide), Changkuoth Jiath (Hawthorn) and Michael Frederick (Fremantle).
“To see the game growing in the African community is pretty sick,” Andrew told AAP at a Mac’s Mates junior clinic this week.
“More and more playing every year and more and more drafted … Luamon Lual, played against him on the weekend.
“My little brother (Riak, taken by Sydney in last year’s draft) coming in … guys have become key players in good teams.
“It’s really cool to see and great for the game as well.”
Andrew credited former North Melbourne and Melbourne Majak Daw with playing a role in inspiring his rise to AFL ranks.
Norm Smith Medallist Jason Johannisen and fellow premiership player Heritier Lumumba are also among those who have blazed a trail over the past two decades.
“It’s just kind of happening,” Andrew said.
“Not to make it about myself, but growing up and seeing guys like Majak playing kept me playing footy.
“The more we can be role models, the more you’ll see come through.”
Chol’s ascension to the AFL began when he played junior football in Brisbane, after he was born in South Sudan and his family fled to Egypt before moving to Australia.
The 28-year-old appeared in his 100th AFL game last week, having played with Richmond and Gold Coast before joining the Hawks.
“One thing I’m very proud of is where I came from and the person I am,” Chol said.
“I feel like the game now is growing so much with a lot of diversity of background.
“The more we can get a lot of diverse players on the program, I think it will be better for the game as well.
“If I could inspire the next young multicultural kids coming through the system, or if I could help them in any way, I’m very happy to do that.”
AAP
