The country's best First Nations male football talent want the Indigenous All Stars game to be something bigger than a personal career highlight.
The All Stars cruised to a highlight-rich 43-point win over Fremantle at Optus Stadium on Saturday.
Outside of the result, the impact of the return wasn't lost on Captain Michael 'Sonny' Walters.
"I encourage the boys to have some fun," he told National Indigenous Times.
"To go out and perform the way we did. It just goes to show you we have a bond that you really can't break. And that's sort of like Indigenous culture.
"We're players from all over the country, and for us to come together in four days and play the way we did...We built a bond for life. That's something at the back end of my career, 17 years in the system, that's something that I'm going to remember and something to be proud of."
Ahead of the fixture, All Stars head coach Xavier Clarke forecast a gameplan to "let the boys play".
Free-flowing, express pace paired with defensive pressure took control before adding to a five-goal lead at the final change to run out comprehensive winners.
Speaking with National Indigenous Times in the sheds after, Clarke said he was proud to see what the group achieved on the field and through the week.
"It's a great feeling in the room tonight," he said.
"This game is gonna have a big footprint on, not only AFL football, but community footy and we'll hopefully see some more young Indigenous boys playing the game in the future."
Clarke, who is assistant coach at North Melbourne, asked reporters "are you trying to make me cry" when Roos skipper Jy Simpkin's best-afield performance was highlighted in the post-match press conference.
Simpkin collected the Polly Farmer Medal for his 30 touch, 10 clearance effort in a hot weather-reduced game.
He was emotional himself after a making a gesture to the sky in memory of his late pop after kicking during the third term.
Bobby Hill lead on the scoresheet with an increasingly trademark four-goal contribution.
The WA-raised Norm Smith Medallist told National Indigenous Times it was good to be back playing in front of family, and "hopefully we have to wait that long to do it again…for the next generation who play and for the boys that didn't play tonight to get their chance".
Young gun Jason Horne-Francis added three goals of his own to go with 17 touches.
The Indigenous All Stars were last assembled in 2015.
Young St Kilda star Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera was 11 when they last played against West Coast.
"It was unreal," he said "one of the best days of my life"
"You played against these fellas all throughout the year but to play in this game was pretty special.
"For this to come back, and it's a huge honor and privilege to play. Hopefully we can inspire the next generation of kids coming through..and hopefully we can continue through every year."
Wanganeen-Milera's St Kilda teammate and competition veteran Brad Hill said he was rapt to get on the park with younger footballers carving out their start.
He said the hunger for more regular Indigenous All Stars fixtures was there to see, and something he feels could be replicated in different venues across the country.
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Soon to be 200 game Hawk Jarman Impey felt full of emotion playing and "enjoyed every moment out there".
"There's a lot (of great Indigenous players) that come before us…and we're hoping that there's so many more, which I know that there will be…we knew the magnitude of the game."
Eagles favourite Liam Ryan felt it was as if the side had played together for years after less than a week together preparing.
"I'm a proud Yamatji man... it means a lot to me and my family, and the community."
Premiership Lion Callum Ah Chee was happy to see his team "put on a clinic" and to play with some of his "heroes" while Tigers forward Maurice Rioli Jr, whose father previously coached an All Stars team said it was an "electric" event.
