North Melbourne star Daniel Wells will captain Australia in the upcoming two-match International Rules series in Ireland.
Wells will skipper the all-indigenous team for Tests in Cavan on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT) and Dublin on October 26, with Aaron Davey his deputy.
“There’s a few young guys in the team and the onus is on the more experienced players to set a high standard of play,” Wells said.
“The Ireland team has been training together for several weeks but I’m confident that our pace, pressure and willingness to back each other up will hold us in good stead.”
Superstar Lance Franklin, who recently left premiers Hawthorn to join Sydney on an extraordinary $10-million nine-year contract, was overlooked for a leadership post.
Franklin was named captain of this year’s Indigenous All-Stars team, but was unable to play in the pre-season clash with Richmond due to a knee injury.
Franklin announced last week he would miss the second Test against Ireland to attend the wedding of ex-teammate Brent Guerra.
While his teammates landed in Ireland on the weekend, Franklin is yet to link up with them.
The 26-year-old visited ex-Wallabies Drew Mitchell and Matt Giteau in France, watching them play a rugby match for Toulon.
Melbourne small forward Davey ended his AFL playing career this year, after 178 games and 10 seasons with the Demons.
“In our culture we have a strong tradition of the young people respecting their elders and I’m proud to be supporting Daniel,” vice-captain Davey said.
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