Motlop is a first time selection and is coming off a career-best season, which saw him selected in the one-off Dream Team, run third in the Port Adelaide Best & Fairest, lead the Power’s goalkicking with 57, and narrowly miss out on All-Australian selection after making the initial squad of 40.
Dream Team counterpart Shaun Burgoyne, and Richmond recruit David Rodan are also first time selections and will add plenty of pace to the Australian attack. 2006 AFL Rising Star winner Danyle Pearce was the last Port Adelaide player to represent Australia, during the 2006 series.
The International Rules Series was played annually between 1998 and 2006 and, after a one year hiatus in 2007, the series will return this year. The game is a combination of Australian Rules Football and Gaelic Football with modified rules and a round ball.
The Australian squad was selected by coach Mick Malthouse, his assistant coaches Glen Jakovich, Nathan Buckley, Matthew Lappin and AFL Football Administration Manager Rod Austin. The squad will train next week in Melbourne ahead of the first test on October 24.
Australia v Ireland
Subiaco, Perth – October 24
MCG, Melbourne – October 31
Tickets now on sale:
• Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com.au
• Call 1300 136 122
• Visit a Ticketmaster outlet.
