World Footy News

The AFL today named the Australian squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Ireland for the 2010 International Rules Series. The Australian team, to be coached by Michael Malthouse, will gather in Melbourne next Friday, October 15, before leaving for Ireland on Saturday October 16. Gary Ablett Jnr had previously said he was keen to play but was reported to have withdrawn his availablility this week.

The first Test will be played at Limerick on Saturday October 23 and the second Test will be played at Croke Park in Dublin on Saturday October 30. The squad is: 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), David Wojcinski (Geelong Cats).

Boyd, Fletcher, Goodes, Green, Montagna and Simpson have previously represented Australia at senior level with Fletcher captaining Australia on its victorious 2006 tour to Ireland under Kevin Sheedy and Simpson winning the Jim Stynes Medal as Australia’s best player in the 2008 series on home soil.

Brisbane's Brendan Fevola will not be going to Ireland (the coach and Irish barstaff will be relieved), but today the Lions revealed he would be joining the team in Shanghai as part of the Club's China Tour which commences next week. The Lions will depart for Shanghai on Tuesday 12 October in readiness for the Shanghai Showdown Exhibition Match against Melbourne at Jiangwan Sports Stadium on Sunday 17 October.

Lions Chief Executive Michael Bowers said Fevola was added to the Lions' touring party after having his Club-imposed suspension lifted yesterday. "The outcome of the Queensland Police investigation came at an opportune time as it meant that Brendan had the chance to join his team-mates over in Shanghai," Mr Bowers said.

"It will be a significant event for everyone involved with our Club and we're delighted that Brendan will be part of it."

"Although he won't play in the match because of a groin injury, it's great that he can re-join the group as the Club helps promote the code in China."