New Australian captain Joel Selwood believes he has the team to restore prominence to the International Rules concept after recent contests were marred by indifference.
An all-indigenous Australian team was routed in a series whitewash in Ireland in 2013 while previous incarnations of the tournament have struggled to attract top-level AFL stars in recent years.
But in 2014, the AFL is determined to revive the hybrid competition, recruiting a star-studded side for the one-off test against Ireland in Perth on Saturday.
The 24-man squad made up entirely of All-Australians will look to snap a two-series losing streak dating back to 2011.
Selwood said while there was some initial hesitation within the Australian ranks, once a couple of big-name players got on board, others jumped at the opportunity.
“There was a lot of us that were non-believers at the start that didn’t think the series could get to where it is right now,” Selwood said on Tuesday.
“I wouldn’t say we haven’t taken it seriously in the past but I would say it’s the best group of players that we’ve been able to put together for a long time.
“The players have been a little bit disrespectful to the opportunity of representing your country so we’re really proud as a group to get together and making sure we can put a great show.”
Geelong skipper Selwood won out over six other AFL captains to get the nod as Australian skipper at a team ceremony at Sydney Opera House on Monday night.
Luke Hodge, Nick Riewoldt and Jarryd McVeigh round out the leadership group.
bryan
Guest
Gaelic & Aussie Rules football are nearly as closely related as Rugby Union & Rugby League. International Rules are a hybrid,certainly,but when we draw back the romantic veils of antiquity,aren't all modern football codes ,including the mighty "World Game"hybrids of previous games? "Skinny little part time bog farmers"-------the Irish guys I saw on the field last night were about as far from that description as you could get. Back in the day,when Polly Farmer played in the WANFL,he had a "day job" at the Midland Railway Workshops,& was paid a lousy few quid "appearance money"for playing,so was effectively a part timer. Do you think he developed all his skills after he was poached by the VFL? As much of the tripe on this thread comes directly from "True Believers"of the "Football" tab,I would point out that what can be done by "part-timers"was also demonstrated recently in the FFA Cup. In the end,last night's game was interesting,exciting,& showed great skills from both teams,with the result being a fairly close one. The 38200 crowd had a great time.
Bruce
Guest
Wow Casper......that Leigh Matthews is so insightful.....I wonder if he ever thought that "International Rules is as much like Gaelic Football, as tennis is like badminton".....lol...... Pitiful to think that the skinny little part time bog farmers beat our full time "professionals" year on year. Hopefully our boys man up and can get one over the little annoying buggers.....and send 'em home to their bog's with head's bowed......lol.....
BigAl
Guest
I remember that fight. The Japanese guy was nick-named 'The Pelican' because of his huge jaw. I think it was officially deemed a draw ...
Casper
Guest
It is not embarrassing at all as it is their game. Leigh Matthews said something along the lines of "International Rules is as much like AFL, as tennis is like badminton".
Bruce
Guest
This is a big chance for the full-time professional elite athletes of the AFL to beat the part time, amateur bog farmers of Ireland. It must be embarrassing to get flogged by amateurs all the time - lets hope they can send 'em home to their bog farms well and truly whipped by Australia's best......lol......
Martin
Roar Rookie
This match will be something like when Muhammad Ali fought that Japanese wrestler. Few people made much sense of that fight, but it nevertheless was a financial success and provided some work opportunities for event organisers. So on a positive note it's great for the economy despite the embarrassment.