International Rules Squad 2011

Xavi6

Here it is -

Richard Douglas (Adelaide Crows), 95 games, 0 Tests
James Frawley (Melbourne), 82 games, Two Tests 2010
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), 68 games, 0 Tests
Brad Green (Melbourne), 241 games, Four Tests 2004/2010
Shaun Grigg (Richmond), 64 games, 0 Tests
James Kelly (Geelong Cats), 194 games, 0 Tests
Jake King (Richmond), 75 games, 0 Tests
Ben McGlynn (Sydney Swans), 82 games, 0 Tests
Trent McKenzie (Gold Coast Suns), 21 games, 0 Tests
Stephen Milne (St Kilda), 236 games, Two Tests 2002
Angus Monfries (Essendon), 132 games, 0 Tests
Robin Nahas (Richmond), 55 games, 0 Tests
Mark Nicoski (West Coast), 112 games, 0 Tests
Mitch Robinson (Carlton), 49 games, 0 Tests
Liam Shiels (Hawthorn), 42 games, 0 Tests
Zac Smith (Gold Coast Suns), 20 games, 0 Tests
Matthew Suckling (Hawthorn), 29 games, 0 Tests
Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne), 106 games, 0 Tests
Colin Sylvia (Melbourne), 121 games, 0 Tests
Jack Trengove (Melbourne), 37 games, 0 Tests
Bernie Vince (Adelaide Crows), 88 games, 0 Tests
Callan Ward (GWS Giants), 60 games, 0 Tests
David Wojcinski (Geelong Cats), 199 games, One Test
Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs), 28 games, 0 Tests

Very solid squad

bruschi

not many 'superstars' on it, but a decent young side, with a couple of older guys. good to see Milne involved, always thought theis would be a game perfect for him. Same with Betts. lot of guys there who havent played in it before. King and Robinson my bets for being involved in any fights!

SSK

Not one really top shelf star on it is disappointing. And a serious lack of Collingwood players.

Otherwise its a good mix of great young players (Trengove, McKenzie, Smith, Shiels etc.) and some very solid but not elite players (Kelly, Swallow, McGlynn, Suckling, Sylvia etc.)

Overall I'd expect Ireland to win this, Goodes and Swan were the difference last year and with both of those missing and not being replaced with the same quality Ireland shoudl have the upper hand.

shanemkelly

Funny that Jake King is involved, given that he's under AFL suspension! I know it makes no difference in the whole scheme of things.
Also, I don't get the impression the Aussies are taking this one overly seriously as I've heard Rocket approached loads of the more established players who knocked him back.
Regardless, I hope it's a decent series with more football than 'the other'.
The AFL are marketing it, "It's going to be Serious Craic!" - though I think they may be playing on the fact that 'serious craic' means 'great fun' to us but 'give it a serious go' Down Under... Anyway...

dahayeser

shanemkelly wrote: »

Also, I don't get the impression the Aussies are taking this one overly seriously as I've heard Rocket approached loads of the more established players who knocked him back.

I always get the feeling that the Aussies like to give the impression they aren't taking it too seriously, the also make out that it is more like gaelic football something that on closer analysis doesn't really stand up. The Aussies are a very proud and highly competitive sporting nation. From my limited AFL knowledge that looks like a solid squad of players well suited to the hybrid game. They will take beating.

The irish management have been knocked back by a lot of top stars too. Apparently a load of Dubs and Kerry lads were asked to join post AI but only Donaghy, Cluxton and Darren O'Sullivan signing up. Darren has since pulled out. The Brogans, Gooch, Michael Darragh, the Sé's all ruled themselves out. I know a number of Cork lads including Michael Shields have declared themselves out too.

It's a pity really it has gone this way. The series gets a lot of stick but I really enjoyed the series in the early 2000's when it produced some cracking hard but fair contests.

Ozeire

Who's going to the game on Friday in Etihad Stadiu. Looks like it should be a ok to go and watch

mrkozzy

Yep, I'm going to the game Friday.
It starts at 7-45pm so that'll give me plenty of time to get there after work.
Hope to see a decent crowd.

Oh and heres a bit of trivia from the radio the other day.....The past 10 International Rules games in Melbourne have all averaged 35 - 40,000 spectators! Not bad when you consider, there's not supposed to be any interest in the game.

keane2097

Everyone here has commented on the squad as being good but not great, do people figure it's a team that should have enough for the Irish selection, considering that's not exactly 100% either?

Is the team mainly made up of youngsters or journeymen?

Xavi6

It's mainly youngsters with experienced players like Green, King, Milne, Vince, Kelly and Wojcinski thrown in. It's certainly not anywhere near a squad of the best AFL players, in fact it'd be difficult to include any of them if every player was available for selection.

They should have enough in terms of fitness but it's a very underwhelming side as a whole.

Watch out for Robin Nahas, I think he could do very well at this level after coming on massively for Richmond in 2011.

patrickY

does anybody know a site i can watch it online cuz im nt in the country

bruschi

keane2097 wrote: »

Everyone here has commented on the squad as being good but not great, do people figure it's a team that should have enough for the Irish selection, considering that's not exactly 100% either?

Is the team mainly made up of youngsters or journeymen?

I think the game has shown the level of interest they have in it. A lacklustre squad picked, and only 5 days training. Some of the players picked maybe stars one day, but those players are not going to draw in a crowd in Melbourne.