The Australian International Rules Squad:
Nathan Bock (Adelaide)
Stellar season saw him named at centre half-back in the All-Australian side and take his club’s best and fairest award; the first time he had achieved either honour. Will be making his International Series debut.
Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs)
Played every game in a brilliant season for the Dogs that saw him finish third behind Daniel Cross and Adam Cooney in the Charles Sutton Medal count. Will be making his International Series debut.
Jared Brennan (Brisbane Lions)
The freakishly talented Lion featured in every game this season and finished fifth in the club’s best and fairest count. Will be making his International Series debut.
Campbell Brown (Hawthorn)
The Hawk hard man held down roles in defence and attack in the club’s premiership year with equal effectiveness. Toured Ireland with the 2006 All-Australian team.
Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adelaide)
The prolific onballer captained the Power in the absence of Warren Tredrea this year and looms as a candidate for the top job here. Will make senior Internatonal Rules debut, but represented the AIS-AFL Academy in the 1999 series in Australia.
Matt Campbell (North Melbourne)
The elusive small forward booted 32 goals in his first season on the senior list at Arden St. Dons the All-Australian guernsey for the first time.
Ryan Crowley (Fremantle)
Consistent season saw him play all 22 games and finish equal fifth in the Doig Medal. Toured Ireland in 2006 with the All-Australian team.
Michael Firrito (North Melbourne)
An important part of the Roos defensive unite in 2008, Firrito looms as a candidate to fulfill the goalkeeping duties. Making his international debut.
Nathan Foley (Richmond)
The speedy Tiger onballer averaged 22 possessions per match in 2008 and his pace will be well-suited to the round ball game. Will be making his International Series debut.
Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)
Stellar season saw him touted as a top Brownlow fancy. Took out the Syd Barker Medal as the Roos’ best and fairest and was All-Australian for the fourth time. An International Rules veteran of four campaigns (2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005) who won the Jim Stynes Medal for best player of the 2003 series and will lead the side into battle as captain.
Roger Hayden (Fremantle)
Injuries restricted him to just 14 games in 2008, but Hayden impressed when playing as a loose man in defence and still polled in the top ten in the club’s best and fairest. International Rules Series debut.
Leigh Montagna (St Kilda)
Played every game for the Saints with a season-high 35 disposals against the Cats in round four. Will represent Australia for the first time.
Daniel Motlop (Port Adelaide)
Kicked 57 goals in a tough year for the Power and has the ability to pull off the spectacular regularly. Finished third in the club’s best and fairest and will make his International Series debut.
Marc Murphy (Carlton)
Finished second to Chris Judd in the John Nicholls Medal after playing all 22 games at an average of 24 possessions. Toured Ireland with the AIS-AFL Academy in 2005.
Michael Osborne (Hawthorn)
Booted 27 goals in a premiership season in which he finished fifth in the Hawks’ best and fairest. Will make his International Series debut.
Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood)
Averaged 22 possessions per game in another year of good progress that saw him finish third in the Copeland Trophy. Making International Series debut.
Drew Petrie (North Melbourne)
One of the few talls selected, Petrie’s versatility saw him play a number of roles with aplomb for the Roos this season. Finished second to Brent Harvey in the Syd Barker Medal. Representing Australia for the first time.
David Rodan (Port Adelaide)
Another of the speed merchants in the side, Rodan enjoyed another consistent at the Power playing all 22 games. Will be making his International Series debut.
Max Rooke (Geelong)
The only member of the Cats’ Grand Final team to be selected. Making his international debut.
Brad Sewell (Hawthorn)
Key member of a talented onball brigade at the premiership club. Season highlights include 34-possession performances against North Melbourne and Port Adelaide. Will be making his International Series debut.
Kade Simpson (Carlton)
Another consistent year from the onballer who continues to grow in stature among his teammates. All-Australian squad member 2006.
Adam Selwood (West Coast)
Excellent season in an under-performed side saw him finish third in the club’s best and fairest count. Was a member of the successful 2006 All-Australian squad.
Dale Thomas (Collingwood)
Kicked 23 goals and averaged 16 disposals in 2008. Will make his IR debut, but his innate ability to pull off the spectacular makes him one to watch.
Scott Thompson (Adelaide)
Finished third in the Malcolm Blight Medal after an outstanding season in which he averaged 24 touches per game. Was a member of the 2001 AIS-AFL Academy squad that played Ireland in Australia.
Daniel Wells (North Melbourne)
Sublimely skilled onballer whose pace, run and carry are well-suited to the hybrid game. A member of the winning 2003 All-Australian International Rules team.
Interesting to see the mix of players for Australia with Rooke, Brown, Boyd & Sewell to provide the grunt and aggro and then you have the silky skills of Burgoyne, Harvey, Wells etc along with the magical x factors of Brennan, Campbell, Thomas and Motlop.
The Irish International Rules Squad:
Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone, captain), Graham Canty (Cork), David Gallagher (Meath), Colm Begley (Brisbane & Laois), Paddy Bradley (Derry), Bernard Brogan (Dublin), Benny Coulter (Down), Bryan Cullen (Dublin), Kieran Donaghy (Kerry), Leighton Glynn (Wicklow), Finian Hanley (Galway), John Keane (Westmeath), Aaron Kernan (Armagh), Ciaran Lyng (Wexford), Stephen McDonnell (Armagh), Enda McGinley (Tyrone), Ciaran McKeever (Armagh), Joe McMahon (Tyrone), Justin McMahon (Tyrone), Michael Meehan (Galway), John Miskella (Cork), Aidan O’Mahony (Kerry), Pearse O’Neill (Cork), Tom Parsons (Mayo), Kevin Reilly (Meath), Tommy Walsh (Kerry), Killian Young (Kerry).
Standby players:
Aidan Carr (Down), Ronan Clarke (Armagh), Paul Finlay (Monaghan), Conor Gormley (Tyrone), Kevin McColy (Derry), Martin McGrath (Fermanagh).
If you know of anything about the Irish players, please add some information, stats, bio’s below.
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