• International Rules history, results and rules
THE LAST time Nick Riewoldt played in the International Rules series, more than half of the players in this year's squad were yet to find their way to AFL lists.
In 2004, the St Kilda forward had played 75 AFL games across the first four years of his career and was off to Ireland to join the likes of James Hird, Mal Michael and Dean Solomon for the two-test series.
Now, a decade on, the 32-year-old Saints captain has 14 Australian teammates who weren't in the AFL system at all when he took part in that series, which Ireland won in a clean sweep.
"It's been 10 years so I'm really excited," Riewoldt told AFL.com.au this week.
"The attraction [to play] is the quality of all the other guys who are playing and coaching, everyone involved, it's a really high quality outfit and it's a privilege to be a part of one of the better teams that have been assembled."
Every year, there are challenges when it comes to bringing together a squad of fit and available AFL players for the off-season series.
For Riewoldt, hurdles have involved travel – particularly in recent years given he's spent most of his break in the United States with his American-born wife Catherine – and the management of his troublesome knee.
But this year, the planets have aligned for the 281-game player.
Catherine is due to give birth to the couple's first child in December, which meant their usual post-season holiday in her hometown of Texas was cut short.
And, his knee is better than it has been in years. Having dropped weight, spent more time training and utilising physiotherapy and water recovery this year, he escaped his usual post-season surgical clean out.
It's the first time in a number of years Riewoldt hasn't needed to go under the knife after the final game, which also increases his confidence in his ability to keep playing for multiple seasons.
For now, it means he's available – and keen – for the November 22 match at Patersons Stadium.
"Where I'm at now and where my body's at, it's good timing," he said.
Nick Riewoldt in action in the 2004 International Rules series in Ireland. Picture: Getty Images
"At different stages you have different priorities but I'm really excited about the opportunity this year."
Whether or not his previous experience helps him readjust to the round ball remains to be seen.
The squad members were sent match balls a few weeks ago and encouraged to practice, which Riewoldt has been doing with his brother, Leigh Montagna and Brendon Goddard.
He's yet to decide if the fact he's done it before will account for anything.
"It's hard to say. I was probably a little bit more sprightly when I played last time but I'll see how I go," he said.
"I don't think I'm going to be too many possessions. If I'm getting too many possessions and kicking it too often, we're probably not going to be going that well."
Riewoldt is yet to speak to any of the coaches but is looking forward to working with the all-star panel, which includes his former mentor and coach Ross Lyon.
He's predicting a "little pinch-hitting role up forward" for himself but won't know anything for sure until the squad goes into camp in Sydney this weekend.
Riewoldt says he'll again embrace the opportunity to spend time with players from other teams after highlighting that as the most enjoyable part of his 2004 tour.
"Some of the friendships I made back then as a 21-year-old … I've maintained close friendships with some of those guys at other clubs for the past 10 years," he said.
"That's what I'm most excited about, particularly towards the latter part of my career, and to be able to play with some of the young superstars of the competition will be exciting as well.
"I've got a lot of respect for the Irish guys; the last time I played they absolutely smashed us so I haven't played in a winning Australian team yet.
"That's something I'm pretty keen to tick off."
