Although it is a modified version of the game, many AFL supporters will be setting their alarms early on Sunday morning for the first Test of the International Rules Series (IRS) between Australia and Ireland.
This is the seventeenth series, with both countries sharing the honours with eight apiece. For the first time in International Rules history, an all-Indigenous team, known as the Indigenous All Stars, will represent Australia in the two Test matches against the Irish.
Not since 1868 has an all-Indigenous side, in any sporting code, ventured abroad. That team 145 years ago represented Australia in the first ever overseas cricket tour by any Australian XI.
Australia/Indigenous All Stars
Australia has a lot to play for this series, after convincingly losing both games at home to the Irish in the 2011 IRS, but it will take some confidence from winning the last two tours of Ireland in 2006 and 2010.
The coaching panel – led by head coach Michael O’Loughlin – was bolstered by the inclusion of former Irish representative and AFL footballer Tadhg Kennelly, who has a wealth of International Rules knowledge and experience in Gaelic football. O’Loughlin is also an experienced campaigner, having represented Australia in the 1999 and 2000 series.
The 21-man Indigenous All Stars squad is full of talent and class, and should easily adapt to the skill and pace of the game. Despite missing Adam Goodes (2010 captain) through injury, the selectors have chosen a well-balanced and refreshed side. The only past representatives are Eddie Betts (2010), vice-captain Aaron Davey (2005 and 2006) and recently appointed skipper Daniel Wells (2003, 2005 and 2008).
All three livewires bring much-needed experience to the side and will be crucial for Australia throughout the series.
Lewis Jetta, Steven Motlop, Matthew Stokes and Sharrod Wellingham will provide plenty of run and carry through the midfield, and there are many options in the attacking half, with the likes of Lance Franklin, Josh Hill, Ashley McGrath, Patrick Ryder and Lindsay Thomas.
All of these players present well and have outstanding goal sense; meaning Irish goalkeeper Paddy O’Rourke will certainly be kept busy in both Test matches.
Also included in the squad are Dominic Barry (Melbourne) and Cameron Ellis-Yolmen (Adelaide), both of who are likely to represent Australia before debuting for their respective clubs.
The Indigenous Australian Rules team has been named http://t.co/i8QQ4P28gD #AFL pic.twitter.com/wOmWMieaFy
— AFL Players (@AFLPlayers) October 8, 2013
Ireland
The Irish will be hoping to emulate their two clinical showings against Australia in the last series and win for the first time in front of their home crowd since 2004.
They will go into the series as underdogs, but boast a favourable home ground advantage, with big crowds expected at Breffni Park and Croke Park.
Paul Earley was appointed manager earlier in 2013 and after a long and successful career in Gaelic football, he is well positioned to provide extensive advice to his charges’ on the round-ball game.
He and the selectors have picked a strong 23-man squad of amateur Gaelic footballers from county teams in the National Football League. The Irish have also selected the likes of Carlton’s Zach Tuohy – the only currently AFL-listed Irish representative – and Ciaran Byrne who is set to begin his career with the Blues after the series, signing a two-year international rookie contract.
This means that Ireland will be without Pearce Hanley and Tommy Walsh, who were both instrumental in the 2011 IRS success. Nevertheless, several key players from that series win return to the squad, including captain Michael Murphy. He will need support from vice-captain Aidan Walsh and former Brisbane and St Kilda player, Colm Begley.
The addition of Seán Cavanagh adds experience and polish to the Irish side. This will be the 30-year-old’s sixth IRS, with his most memorable series coming in 2008, when he captained Ireland to success in Australia.
A player that Australia will be trying to nullify is former Hawthorn rookie listed player, Ciarán Kilkenny. At just 20-years-old, the potentially damaging forward is one of the most promising Gaelic footballers in Ireland.
The series is set to conclude on Saturday October 26, at Dublin’s Croke Park.
Mitchell Wood is a second-year Bachelor of Journalism (Sport) student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter: @Mitchell_Woody
(Picture: Twitter – @AFLPlayers)
