Harley Bennell, the Gold Coast SUNS second selection at last year’s AFL National Draft, has been picked in the 2011 AFL Indigenous All Stars Squad.

Skippered by none other the dual Brownlow Medallist Adam Goodes, the 32-man squad - announced just last night - showcases a mouth-watering array of football talent including dynamic Melbourne duo Aaron Davey and Liam Jurrah, Essendon high flier Patrick Ryder and Hawthorn excitement machine Cyril Rioli.

Bennell, 18, hails from Western Australia.

He’s a running utility with clean hands, sure feet, plenty of time and, in the true indigenous tradition, a true X factor that’ll excite plenty in the AFL community in coming months.

Always a standout in junior football, he first really set tongues wagging at last years Under 18 National Championships with a string of jaw-dropping performances. It surprised no one when he was named the Championships’ best and fairest player.

According to GC SUNS GM-Football Operations, Marcus Ashcroft, Bennell’s selection in the All Stars Squad will be a truly thrilling moment for what the club hopes will be one of its long-term stars.

“It’s always great for a young player to have their talent recognised, but to be chosen in a representative squad without having played a single AFL game is something pretty special,” Ashcroft said. “Harley’s only at the start of his career and he knows as well as anyone how much hard work is ahead to be a consistent performer in top level football, but there’s no doubt this is an exciting moment for him and the club.”

Bennell has been with the full 70-man Indigenous All Star Squad since last Sunday. With the final squad now whittled down to final size, he’ll remain in camp in Sydney with other selected players before travelling to Alice Springs to prepare for Friday’s All Star game against Richmond.

Ashcroft said the opportunity to mingle with seasoned AFL stars will be an invaluable experience.

“To be able to talk with and watch and learn from some of the most talented names in football will be a terrific experience for Harley,” Ashcroft said. “He’ll take an enormous amount away from the experience.”

The Indigenous All Stars v Richmond match will be played on Friday February 4, 7.20pm CST, at Traeger Park, in Alice Springs.

The match will be broadcast on ABC1 at 8.30pm ESST.