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Australia coach Mick Malthouse has named a squad of 22 including just four 2010 All-Australians for the two-Test International Rules series against Ireland.
All-Australian vice-captain Gary Ablett this week withdrew from the series which includes matches against Ireland in Limerick on October 23 and in Dublin a week later.
Ablett told Malthouse he needed time to sort out his new living arrangements on the Gold Coast after announcing he was quitting Geelong to accept a lucrative deal for the Suns.
Malthouse, who last week guided Collingwood to their first AFL premiership in 20 years, will gather the national side in Melbourne on October 15 before departing for Ireland the following day.
Malthouse will rely heavily on his four 2010 All-Australians: Melbourne defender James Frawley, St Kilda wingman Leigh Montagna, Richmond’s Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt and Collingwood’s midfield star Dane Swan.
Four players are backing up from last week’s grand final replay including Collingwood’s Tyson Goldsack and St Kilda’s Sam Gilbert.
Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs) Adam Goodes (Sydney), Brad Green (Melbourne), Montagna, Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) and Kade Simpson (Carlton) will also be expected to lead the way, having previously represented Australia at senior level against Ireland.
Fletcher, now 35, was captain of the Australian side on their victorious tour of Ireland in 2006 under coach Kevin Sheedy.
Australia squad: Todd Banfield (Brisbane), Eddie Betts (Carlton), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide), Paul Duffield (Fremantle), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), James Frawley (Melbourne), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Sam Gilbert (St Kilda), Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood), Adam Goodes (Sydney), Brad Green (Melbourne), Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle), Kieren Jack (Sydney), Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond), Kade Simpson (Carlton), Dane Swan (Collingwood), Travis Varcoe (Geelong), David Wojcinski (Geelong).
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