AUSTRALIA held its main training session in New York on Thursday as misty rain fell on the picturesque Central Park.
 
The two-hour session, ahead of Saturday's practice match, saw the Australians use the round ball in a series of drills that allowed them to combine as a team for the first time.

Click here to follow the Aussies as they prepare to take on Ireland
 
Geelong coach and Australian assistant Chris Scott told AFL.com.au the hit-out was a chance for the players to get a feel for the ball and begin to jell as a team ahead of the Virgin Australia International Rules Test match against Ireland - which will be held in Dublin on Saturday, November 21.
 
"It's a chance for the team to bond in a pretty special place," Scott said.

Easton Wood, Luke Hodge, Andrew Gaff, Dyson Heppell, and Jake Stringer in Central Park.

 

Veteran Dustin Fletcher, who retired at the end of the season after 400 games, took on the customary role of goalkeeper and looked in good shape as he kicked the round ball in preparation for what will be his last game of elite sport.
 
Coach Alastair Clarkson was involved, relaying instructions at a rapid rate during training, with support from Fremantle coach Ross Lyon and Scott.
 
The team's leaders, including St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt, Hawthorn's Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell, Western Bulldogs Robert Murphy and Geelong's Harry Taylor, also lent support to explain the practical aspects of how the team plan should be implemented.




 

Western Bulldogs youngster Jake Stringer looks to be adjusting the round ball after admitting a month ago he had needed to touch up on his skills, while late inclusion Hayden Ballantyne was receiving some basic tips on how best to control the ball by foot.
 
Despite the busy setting, the Australians are beginning to switch on to the upcoming encounter with Clarkson starting to develop an approach for the team as well as underlining the challenge ahead.
 
At a team dinner on Wednesday night, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire (chef de mission for the trip) emphasised to the players the importance of the occasion for the Irish with the game being played on the 95th anniversary of Bloody Sunday.
 
McGuire told the players the game was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent Australia with the "best of the best" and the chance to re-establish a tradition of Australia v Ireland which was once to be taken very seriously.