Parramatta Eel Anthony Mitchell overwhelmed by All Stars Call-up
2/02/2011 4:53:03 PM
Parramatta Eels rookie Anthony Mitchell says he is shocked and overwhelmed after it was announced he has been selected for the Indigenous All Stars team.
Anthony Mitchell will join the team next week for the second Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars match at Skilled Park on February 12, 2011.
The young hooker played just three NRL games last season, but showed himself as a potential Parramatta Eels star of the future with his speed, skill and ball-playing ability out of dummy half.
While Mitchells call-up is at the expense of the concepts founder Preston Campbell, Mitchell is unfazed at the opportunity so early in his career.
Its a shock I guess, I only played three first grade games last year but I was fortunate to have successful games, he says.
Things like this come up for a reason and Im lucky to be scouted and be put into the team. It was a surprise for myself given a lot of others could have been selected but obviously this opens up an opportunity for me.
Its an overwhelming feeling of being recognized for something you love, not only for the rugby league community but being able to represent your culture. My culture is something close to my heart so this is a real honour.
Mitchell received a call earlier in the week informing him of his selection and was excited to be picked for the Indigenous All Stars as his first senior representative team.
Ive learnt more and more about my culture as Ive got older, and it has changed a lot within the last 50 years and even 10 years, he explains.
In society its not just blacks and whites, we have a multicultural society and the Aboriginal people want to contribute to that.
This game is an important concept and there are a lot of players Im looking forward to playing with. Scott Prince is a massive one, Ive always looked up to him. He came out of Townsville like me and went to my high school, so it would be a huge buzz hearing him call your name for the ball.
Mitchell is one of three players vying for the hooking role this season, with Matt Keating and Casey McGuire also in the frame, but with the experience he will gain from playing with idol Scott Prince in the Indigenous All Stars, Mitchell is now placed well heading into Season 2011.
