THE AFL/VFL's best 22 multicultural players since 1896 have been selected in the first Australia Post Multicultural Team of Champions.
Some of the game's best-known international stars, including three current players and one coach, were announced in the team as part of Multicultural Round celebrations.
A selection panel including AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, Carlton coach Mick Malthouse and TV commentator Dennis Cometti picked its best 22 players with international ties to have played the game from 1896-2013.
It is a team that possesses sublime skills, dash and daring, with a defence as balanced as any ever assembled, a hard-edged, attacking midfield and a forward line loaded with scoring power.
To be eligible, players must have either been born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas.
Ukrainian-born Carlton legend Alex Jesaulenko was named as captain while Jock McHale was named as coach.
AFL deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan paid tribute to the various cultures that make up the game at a special event at Crown in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon.
"Multicultural players have made an enormous contribution to the history of Australia's game and this team importantly celebrates multicultural talent and diversity in the AFL," he said.
"Among the Multicultural Team of Champions are 12 AFL Hall of Fame inductees, three players who have Legend status, and together 44 AFL premierships have been won."
Former Swans players Wayne Schwass, Roy Cazaly and Dermott Brereton where all named on the ground in the team.
The Australia Post AFL Multicultural Team of Champions:
B: J. Worsfold (England) S. Silvagni (Italy) M. Scarlett (England)
HB: W. Schwass (New Zealand) G. Jakovich (Croatia) A. Koutoufides (Italy, Greece)
C: R.DiPierdomenico (Italy) I. Stewart (Italy) P. Matera (Italy)
HF: A. Jesaulenko (Ukraine, Russia) N. Riewoldt (Germany) D. Brereton (Ireland)
F: P. Bell (Korea) A. Lynch (England) P. Daicos (Macedonia)
Foll: R. Cazaly (England, Scotland) S. Black (New Zealand) D. Kerr (India)
I/C: A. LA Fontaine (France) C.H. Pannam (Greece) S. Rocca (Italy) J. Stynes (Ireland)
Coach: Jock McHale
Captain: Alex Jesaulenko
Wayne Schwass
Born in New Zealand
Playing Career: North Melbourne 1988-97; Sydney 1998-2002
Games: 282, Goals: 154
Finals: 14, Grand Finals: 1996
Premierships: 1996
State of Origin games: 3 (Victoria)
Best & Fairest: 1994, 1995, 1999
All Australian: 1999
Roy Cazaly
Father born in ENGLAND mother born in SCOTLAND
Playing Career: St Kilda 1911-15, 1918-20; South Melbourne 1921-24, 1926-27
Games: 198, Goals: 167
Finals: 9, Grand Finals: 1913
State of Origin games: 13 (Victoria)
Best & Fairest: 1918, 1926
South Melbourne leading goal kicker: 1921-22
St Kilda Captain: 1920
South Melbourne: 1922
Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee (legend)
Dermott Brereton
Father born in IRELAND
Playing Career: Hawthorn 1982-92, Sydney 1994, Collingwood 1995
Games: 211, Goals: 464
Finals: 26, Grand Finals: 1983-89, 1991
Premierships: 1983, 1986, 1988-89, 1991
State of Origin games: 9 (Victoria)
2 International Rules matches for Australia
Best & Fairest: 1985
Hawthorn leading goal kicker: 1985
All Australian: 1985-86, 1988
Hawthorn Team of the Century
Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee
