The AFL wishes to advise that Nat Fyfe has been ruled out of the Australian squad to contest the 2014 Virgin Australia International Rules Test match against Ireland, to be played at Patersons Stadium on Saturday November 22.
The Australian team played a practice match against a NSW GAA team in Western Sydney this afternoon and Fyfe suffered a right shoulder problem when diving for a mark in the closing minutes of the final term.
It was the view of Australian team management, after consultation with medical staff, no risk would be taken with any player and he was ruled out, to be further assessed by his club.
A full update on his condition will come from the Fremantle FC in the coming days when an assessment is completed.
Fyfe said he was incredibly disappointed to miss the match in his home state.
'I've loved the experience over the last few days and meeting players from across the competition, and its incredibly disappointing to miss out.
'I dived for a mark and simply landed the wrong way and it didn't feel right,' Fyfe said.
Australian team assistant coach Ross Lyon will be available to any interested media when the team arrives in Perth tonight at approx 9pm local time on flight VA569.
The Australian team will have a short beach session tomorrow and media are welcome to attend:
Wednesday November 19, Perth
10am local Perth time approx. - Patrick Dangerfield and Grant Birchall available at team recovery session at City Beach, Perth.
Thursday November 20
9am local time approx. (exact time tbc) – Three players available before team training session at Patersons Stadium. Australian team training will be open for vision / pictures.
Friday November 21
11am – Australian team training at Patersons Stadium.
12.30pm, Burswood – Joint media conference with Australia / Ireland team captains and senior coaches.
The Australian squad is: Grant Birchall (Hawthorn), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), Luke Breust (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Brent Harvey (North Melbourne), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Kieren Jack (Sydney Swans), Steve Johnson (Geelong Cats), Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Nic Naitanui (West Coast), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats), Brodie Smith (Adelaide Crows), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans), Harry Taylor (Geelong Cats), Jobe Watson (Essendon) and Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide). Coach – Alastair Clarkson. Assistant Coaches – Tadhg Kennelly, Ross Lyon, Chris Scott.