GAA News

Australia manager Mick Malthouse has announced the 22-man squad that will travel to Ireland later this month for the International Rules series.

Only six members of the panel have played International Rules before while Malthouse has surprisingly decided to omit Gary Ablett, one of the biggest names in Australian Rules Football (AFL), despite the fact that Ablett, a recent signing for the newly-formed Gold Coast AFL franchise, had made himself available for selection.

Matthew Boyd, Dustin Fletcher, Adam Goodes, Brad Green, Leigh Montagna and Kade Simpson have already experienced the International Rules series, while Malthouse has selected only two players – Tyson Goldsack and Dane Swan - from Collingwood, who he led to a Grand Final victory over St. Kilda last weekend.

The first test between Ireland and Australia will take place in the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Saturday 23 October, with the second test taking place in Croke Park seven days later.

Australia's International Rules squad: Todd Banfield (Brisbane Lions), Eddie Betts (Carlton), Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs), Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows), Paul Duffield (Fremantle), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), James Frawley (Melbourne), Bryce Gibbs (Carlton), Sam Gilbert (St Kilda), Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood), Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans), Brad Green (Melbourne), Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle), Kieran Jack (Sydney Swans), Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond), Kade Simpson (Carlton), Dane Swan (Collingwood), Travis Varcoe (Geelong Cats) and David Wojcinski (Geelong Cats).