An integral component of the overall Australia Post AFL Multicultural program, the ambassadors are committed to uniting communities through AFL and increasing inclusion within Australia’s game.
Naitanui welcomed the assembled guests and introduced his fellow ambassadors, Bachar Houli, Jobe Watson, Majak Daw, Alipate Carlile, Stephen Coniglio, Jimmy Toumpas, Lin Jong and Patrick Karnezis.
“There’s only five of us from the original [ambassador] squad that are still here and to see all the new faces joining us is good,” Naitanui said.
“We all have different backgrounds and different stories to tell. We’ve got Greek, we’ve got Italians, we’ve got everything.
“We’ve even got Jobe Watson on board. People ask, ‘why do you have Jobe?’
“We’re all about inclusion and diversity and instead of having the token black guy, we’ve got the token white guy now.
“We love to see new faces and to get everyone involved.”
Naitanui was pushed to give assurances of his fitness and once again denied rumours that he was booked in for surgery overseas.
He said he was hopeful of playing in one of the upcoming NAB Challenge matches in preparation for his team's first round encounter with the Bulldogs.
“I’m back in full training,” Naitanui said.
“The boys had a little hit-out the other day and I’m pretty envious because I wanted to be playing a full game out there, but I’m not far off.
“I’m probably a couple of weeks away. It’s just a matter of mapping out which [NAB Challenge] game it is.
“Pre-season is almost done. To get the last few weeks of training in has been good and I’m looking forward to the games to come.”
