HAVING five players represent Australia in the looming International Rules Series is reward for North Melbourne's players and coaching staff, says chief of football Donald McDonald.

Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Michael Firrito, Daniel Wells and Matt Campbell are part of the 25-man Australian squad that will play Ireland in tests in Perth (October 24) and Melbourne (October 31).

And Harvey, embarking on his fifth International Rules campaign, was named as captain on Thursday.

"It's a good fillip for those guys to get that experience to play with the better guys from the AFL," McDonald said.

"To play for Australia is a fantastic honour for them. We're rapt.

"That'll be a really good experience, a really good confidence boost for them and it's going to be good to see how they go, because they're very talented and they're quick."

Wells represented Australia in 2003, however, it will be a first foray for Petrie, Firrito and Campbell.

Harvey said soon after the announcement of the squad that the experience would benefit the Roos players as they prepare for 2009.

The club has more representatives than any other.

And Firrito, who played every game in 2008, will be Australia's goalkeeper despite undergoing post-season foot surgery.

"Mick had some minor work done, but he's alright now, walking around and he's fine," McDonald said, before adding that North teammates Adam Simpson, Daniel Pratt and Ed Lower had pulled up well from shoulder surgery.

"We'll have a full list when the boys return for pre-season."