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Australian coach Rodney Eade wants his men to maintain a tough physical approach but also act as diplomats in the International Rules Series against Ireland.
Eade stressed the need for the ongoing survival of the 15-a-side hybrid game, which has been the subject of ongoing debate in Ireland since it began in 1984.
Australia have won eight of the 15 series, but the concept has been very much a stop-start process, including an eight-year break following the 1990 series.
Eade says while the Irish have a headstart in terms of being used to the round ball, the hosts are more accustomed to the tackling style that is permitted under the IRS agreement.
The two-match series starts at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium on Friday followed by game two at Gold Coast on November 4.
“They’ve got a couple of advantages over us. One is the experience of playing the hybrid game … the number of Tests that they’ve played as a group compared to us,” Eade said on Tuesday.
“And their use of the round ball is going to be an advantage for them.
“The advantage we’ve got is hopefully our fitness and our ability to put pressure on the opposition.
“We certainly need to play within the spirit of the game and we need to foster the relations between the two countries.
“We need this series to keep going because I think it’s a real plus for our players.
“But having said that, we need to be able to tackle well and be able to pressure them.”
Eade said his side, which will be led by Melbourne skipper Brad Green, should have no doubts about what they can and can’t do to their Irish opponents.
“I don’t think it’s a grey line,” Eade said.
“The fact is you have to tackle properly.
“The head is sacrosanct, you don’t shirtfront people and you don’t hit people late. That’s fine.
“By the same token, you’ve got to tackle and put pressure on them.”
Green, who had a trial with soccer giants Manchester United as a teenager, is also a former schoolboy cricket star who captained Australia’s under-15 side and was part of the under-19 world cup squad before being drafted by the Demons in 1999.
The 30-year-old Tasmanian is one of only four players in Australia’s 23-man squad with Test experience.
“Being captain of Melbourne footy club and having a great deal of experience in this game gave him the nod,” Eade said.
James Kelly, Andrew Swallow and James Frawley are Green’s vice-captains.
Green, who won Melbourne’s best and fairest last year, said captaining Australia ranked alongside any of his previous achievements.
“It’s a huge honour,” Green said.
Eade said Green hadn’t been the only player to show skills with the round ball this week.
Liam Shiels, Robin Nahas, Matthew Suckling and Trent McKenzie had also been impressive, the coach said.
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