O’Loughlin, who in February said Bennell was a footy great in the making, will be spearheading the senior coaching panel alongside Rodney Eade, Tadhg Kennedy and Andrew McLeod.
At the announcement AFL Deputy CEO Gillon McLachlan said the concept of the All Stars representing Australia had been widely explored after senior indigenous players across the code sought greater opportunities for the All Stars team.
“To the best of our knowledge, the All Stars representing the AFL in International Rules against Ireland will be the first All-Indigenous team to represent a national sporting code at senior level overseas since the first cricket team toured England in 1868, more than 150 years ago,” McLachlan said on Wednesday.
“It is our belief the All Stars coming together, with the commitment made by senior indigenous players across the competition, will reinvigorate matches between Australia and Ireland provide us with a great opportunity to regain the Cormac McAnallen Trophy.
“The idea to bring the All Stars together again to play came about following a discussion between senior current Indigenous members of the AFL playing group and the AFL executive, following the All Stars camp and match earlier this year.”
“Since that time, the player group has been extremely support and Michael and his coaching staff will now work through the selection process with a final squad to be named in September, as players complete their finals commitments.”
The Australia team will embark overseas in October and play dual test matches in Cavan and Dublin, and will head into the series with plenty of confidence after taking home the international bragging rights from their 2-0 win-loss record in Ireland under former coach Mick Malthouse in 2010.
