The AFL’s multicultural week commenced last Monday, with the League sparing no expense in publicising the event that celebrates past and present AFL players who have had at least one parent born overseas.

On hand at Monday’s launch were Australia Post AFL ambassadors, Sudanese born North Melbourne player Majak Daw, Bachar Houli from Richmond and the Cats’ Jimmy Bartel to press home the message of ‘Many Cultures, One Game’, recognising the many players from multicultural backgrounds who make up 15 per cent of the AFL player list.

The launch was followed up the very next day by a lavish function at the Crown Paladium where the AFL and Australia Post released the names of the 22 players who have been selected in the first ever Multicultural Team of Champions.

Former 256 game Carlton player, captain, coach and Hall of Fame member Alex Jesaulenko was named captain of the Multicultural Team of Champions. Jesaulenko, born in Austria to a Ukrainian father and Russian mother, was assigned the honour of leading a 22-man side consisting of players either born overseas or with a parent born overseas.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou headed the selection panel that included Australia Post managing director and chief executive Ahmed Fahour, AFL’s general manager of national and international development Andrew Dillon, Carlton coach Mick Malthouse, Seven Network commentator Dennis Cometti, AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan and AFL historian Col Hutchison.

The panel reduced the initial 50 man squad, which consisted of players involved in VFL/AFL between 1896 and 2012, to the final 22. Among the Multicultural Team of Champions there are 12 AFL Hall of Fame inductees, three players who have Legend status and together 44 AFL Premierships have been won between the 22.

Collingwood great Jock McHale, born in New South Wales to an Irish father and who passed away in 1953, was selected as coach.

2013 Multicultural Team of Champions (*still playing):
B: J. Worsfold Stephen Silvagni M. Scarlett
HB: W. Schwass G. Jakovich A. Koutoufides
C: R.DiPierdomenico I. Stewart P. Matera
HF: A. Jesaulenko (CAPT.) *N. Riewoldt D. Brereton
F: P. Bell A. Lynch P. Daicos
Foll: R. Cazaly S. Black *D. Kerr
I/C: A. LA Fontaine C.H. Pannam S. Rocca J. Stynes
Coach: Jock McHale