Along with the AFL's Scott Taylor, who is the team manager, Jennie will be working behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly for Mick Malthouse's squad over the next two weeks.
The following is a brief insight into how the series has started for Jennie and the Australian side.
THIS is my first time being involved with International Rules after watching it at the MCG and on television. When I was asked I thought it was a great opportunity and I jumped at it.
When you've been asked to do something you want to make sure that you do it to the very best of your ability. Even though it's the off-season it doesn't matter because you're representing Australia. Everyone involved, from the support staff right through to the elite players, want to give it their best and make sure that we win.
Sunday, October 19, 1pm – 3pm (AEST)
We drove the Kangaroos' property truck out to the airport, unloaded all our stuff and left it at the Qantas valet park; a very nice thing for them to allow us to do. We got out to the airport and everyone turned up on time, which is always a good start. Then we checked all of the players off the list, checked in their bags and issued them with their boarding passes.
One of the harder things was just recognising who all the players are, because I'm used to seeing them in their guernseys with their numbers on the back. They look pretty different without them on, but we managed to get everyone sorted and onto the plane.
4pm (AEST)
We're on our way. The flight was about 45 minutes late, but it didn't make too much difference. It's nice once you get all the guys on board the plane because then you can't lose any of them. The flight was uneventful, but there's always a flurry of activity once you land with any team. You've got to make sure all the bags have made it and get them and all the equipment loaded onto the bus. All the players were really good and helped out by grabbing some gear and loading it on.
4:30pm – 6:30pm (AWST)
From there it was out to the Crowne Plaza hotel, where we got them settled in their rooms. Generally most AFL teams will have two players per room, but the guys got one to themselves here which they all seemed pretty happy about.
6:30pm
The guys sat down to have a bit of dinner and then Mick Malthouse had a brief chat to the group. He spoke to them about the importance of representing their country and what that means. He was very focused on the fact that you've got to have the passion and desire to want to play the game, which he feels they all have.
8:30pm
It was a pretty low-key night after that. The boys had free time, but they were encouraged to take the opportunity to have a bit of a rest because it had been a big day. Most did and hit the sack pretty early.
Monday, October 20, morning
After breakfast it was all hands on deck as we got the equipment ready to go out to Subiaco for the first training session. Everything was going smoothly and all the players were outside ready to go, but there was no bus. I made a quick phone call and it was clear that we'd hit our first snag as the bus had broken down on its way to the hotel.
Having several million dollars worth of AFL talent milling around on the kerb is not ideal, so we sent the boys back inside until the bus showed up.
10am
The bus finally showed and we're back on track. Umpire Steve McBurney met with the lads to go through the rules when they arrived while we got all the new Australian kit ready. We used West Coast's facilities, which are amazing. Once they came out of that meeting we handed out socks, shorts and shirts and after a bit of swapping and changing of sizes everyone was ready to go.
10:30am – 12:30pm
It was a fairly lengthy training session, but it wasn't overly taxing. It was more about getting a feel for the ball and still getting to know each other. After getting a few things sorted inside for the practice match tonight I went out and got a bit of exercise by chasing the balls down from behind the goals and kicking them back.
It was pretty warm out there, but despite being in their off-season the boys all looked pretty fit and handled it well.
1pm – 2pm
It just wasn't my day with buses, because it came on time but turned and headed down toward the Fremantle end of the ground. I had to chase it down the car park, which was another nice bit of exercise to help counter-balance the fried breakfast.
We arrived back at the hotel without incident and the guys are having lunch now and talking about the practice game later tonight.
We've arranged to have all their kit cleaned and ready to go and there're all looking forward to having a bit more of a serious kick around.
*****
There are a lot of different threads to try and bring together and with everyone coming from different clubs it's been a good day to get to know how everyone works.
The boys are pretty low-key and easy to manage – there are no big egos here.
They're excited about playing for their country and even though it's our off-season now we'll treat it pretty much as you would preparation for a home and away game. It'll be just like a regular game for us because we want the players to have everything that they need and just make sure that we're a professional unit.
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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
First Test – Subiaco Oval, Perth, Friday October 24
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday October 31
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 1300 136 122 or at a Ticketmaster outlet.
For full coverage of the 2008 series, click here.
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