A strong final squad of 25 has been announced for Peter Jackson VFL’s International Rules clash against Ireland on November 16 at Sandringham's Trevor Barker Beach Oval.
The clash will showcase some of the best talent within the competition, and provide an opportunity for players to test themselves against the Irish as they warm up for their match against the Australian AFL team a week later in Western Australia in the hybrid form of the game.
Eight VFL clubs are represented in the final squad - with Williamstown boasting the most with six players – as the team features 14 VFL Team of the Year selections, five 2014 club best and fairest winners and three club captains.
VFL coach Damian Carroll said when deciding the final squad they looked at reward for players that had a good VFL season, as well as balancing a mix of youth and experience.
“We were looking at some youth that could put their names up there with a good performance against quality opposition in a draft sense, and that could also handle the load and be energized against a quick Irish side as well,” Carroll said.
“The final side has a shorter rather than taller look due to the nature of the game as we tried to back in the guys that have played some exciting footy and are able to carry the ball.”
It has been a crash course in learning the International Rules format for Carroll, but he has been hard at work researching the basics to teach his squad in the three training sessions leading up to the game.
The key to training for Carroll is not to over complicate things, focusing on key areas in the various phases of the game that players will need to execute well.
“I did not know much about it (International Rules) before taking on the job but I have been able to access vision from last years series and look at how they set up and how they go about it and why they (Ireland) have been able to be so good.
“We are going to work on some techniques on the basics of how to dispose of the ball,” Carroll said.
“We have investigated some of the ways that we can move the ball in regular play, and make the most of fast transition as well.
“Not only that but the way the Irish move the ball and the ways we can defend some of their plays is going to be crucial for us.”
One of the toughest positions on the field has already been decided, with Casey Scorpions captain Evan Panozza to take on the challenge of goal keeper.
“Evan has been a fine VFL player and a quality team man, and has spent nearly a decade at Casey," Carroll said.
“He has plenty of experience and will be one of the leaders out there for the young players and hopefully he can do a pretty good job.”
Carroll is realistic about the VFL’s chances, especially will many of the Irish players just having finished their current season as late as this weekend.
“We are under no illusions that it will be a massive challenge against a side that beat the Australian’s by over 50 points last year.
“They (Ireland) want a good hit out in this game as they are keen to be prepared for the following week against the Australian team.
“We are just hoping we can get a good week of education into our guys, and that they are able to acquit themselves very well.”
Carroll wished to thank the VFL clubs for assisting in making their players available for the match, with just two additions to the original squad (James Magner and Adam Cockie) due to injuries and player departures from the competition.
Included in the squad of 25 are four community league players, two selected from the AFL Victoria Community Cup from Metro (Thomas Paule – Old Melburnians) and Country (Jackson Geary – Golden Square), and two from the VAFA (Bede Mahon – University Blacks and Ben Smithwick – Old Carey). Paule. Mahon and Smithwick all have experience in the International Rules format after touring Ireland in October 2013 with the VAFA representative side and will help add to the experience of the squad.
Another who is no stranger to the hybrid game is VFL squad assistant coach Aussie Jones, who toured Ireland in 2004 with the AFL. He and new Frankston coach Patrick Hill will look after attack and defence for the VFL side.
“We hope to use his (Jones) experience quite extensively when he was able to partake in those games, so he we will be valuable to our players, and will look at how we are moving the ball and are able to attack,” Carroll said.
“Patty will look at our defence and try and keep our opposition down in scoring opportunities.”
A curtain raiser game will be played on November 16, with the VAFA to face a Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) representative side kicking off at 11:45am before the main game at 2pm.
Entry is free for both games at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham.
FINAL SQUAD
Evan |
PANOZZA |
Casey Scorpions |
Adam |
SAAD |
Coburg Lions |
Lech |
FEATHERSTONE |
Coburg Lions |
Ben |
CAVARRA |
Frankston |
Nicholas |
NEWMAN |
Frankston |
Nick |
RIPPON |
North Ballarat |
James |
MAGNER |
Port Melbourne |
Tom |
O'SULLIVAN |
Port Melbourne |
Toby |
PINWILL |
Port Melbourne |
Luke |
TYNAN |
Port Melbourne |
Myke |
COOK |
Sandringham |
Adam |
COCKIE |
Sandringham |
Scott |
SHERLOCK |
Werribee |
Tom |
GRIBBLE |
Werribee |
Jye |
BOLTON |
Werribee |
Scott |
CLOUSTON |
Williamstown |
Ben |
DAVIES |
Williamstown |
Ben |
JOLLEY |
Williamstown |
Cameron |
LOCKWOOD |
Williamstown |
Adam |
MARCON |
Williamstown |
Jake |
OWEN |
Williamstown |
Jackson |
GEARY |
Golden Square FNC |
Thomas |
PAULE |
Old Melburnians |
Bede |
MAHON |
University Blacks |
Ben |
SMITHWICK |
Old Carey |
IRELAND NAME 25 MAN SQUAD
Michael Murphy will captain the Ireland International Rules team for the second year running, as the 25 man squad team flies out to Australia on November 12.
In total 15 counties are represented, with Mayo leading the way with four home based players included aswell as Brisbane Lions’ Pearse Hanley - the only AFL based player included in the travelling panel.
Team manager Paul Earley told the GAA website the side is looking forward to the upcoming two match tour.
“As a group we are looking forward to showcasing all that is good about Gaelic football while representing Ireland.”
2014 Ireland Panel (IRS v Australia): Colm Begley (Laois), Colm Boyle (Mayo), Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone), Cathal Cregg (Roscommon), Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone), Finian Hanley (Galway), Pearse Hanley (Brisbane Lions), Darren Hughes (Monaghan), Lee Keegan (Mayo), James McCarthy (Dublin), Ciaran McDonald (Tipperary), Neil McGee (Donegal), Chrissy McKaigue (Derry), Kevin McKernan (Down), Kevin McLoughlin (Mayo), Conor McManus (Monaghan), David Moran (Kerry), Niall Morgan (Tyrone), Ross Munnelly (Laois), Michael Murphy (Donegal) - Captain, Colm O’Neill (Cork), Pádraig O’Neill (Kildare), Paddy O’Rourke (Meath), Aidan O’Shea (Mayo), Aidan Walsh (Cork) - Vice Captain.
Last Modified on 07/11/2014 12:28