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A NAURU All-Stars official says the team would welcome an opportunity to be part of another match in Bendigo.
The visiting Nauruans took on Bendigo Football Netball Leaue powerhouse Strathfieldsaye on Tuesday night, on the Storm's home turf at Strathfieldsaye Recreation Reserve.
Hundreds of people were treated to an entertaining exhibition match, won by the Storm 11.10 (76) to 6.2 (38).
The crowd included a solid core of All-Stars supporters, including the Melbourne-based family of players.
The game was an initiative of Bendigo Bank.
Team manager Kenneth Oppenheimer said the predominantly young All-Stars team had relished their chance to play in Bendigo.
"I was talking with Tim from the Bendigo Bank about the possibility of a pre-tournament game here in Bendigo before the August AFL International Cup," he said.
"It's only a two-hour train ride for us (from Melbourne).
"We already have some supporters and friends here in Bendigo.
"There was a lot of family and friends from Melbourne here in Bendigo - no one travelled with us from Nauru."
The Nauruans won plenty of new supporters too, impressing none-less than two-time Storm premiership coach Darryl Wilson, who praised their competitiveness and attack on the ball.
If their performance against the Storm is any guide, the All-Stars figure to make life tough for opposition teams come August.
"About 90 per cent of the team is under 20," Oppenheimer said.
"Traditionally we're in the top five at the International Cup.
"Last International Cup we placed seventh, but they did the pools a bit differently.
"We lost to Ireland by only two goals and they came in second and suffered a narrow loss to Papua New Guinea who won the tournament."
The All-Stars split their two tour matches, defeating Zillmere Eagles in Brisbane on the weekend by 12 goals.
Storm coach Wilson said the club would welcome similar opportunities against the All-Stars or other international teams going forward through its association with Bendigo Bank.
“When they come out for the International Cup in Melbourne and we’ll certainly be down there having a watch and looking after them,” he said.
It’s not the first time the Storm have hosted international visitors.
The club last year welcomed AFL India footballers Saurabh Bhandakar and Sumesh Sawant for a training session at Strathfieldsaye last July.
