NEW AUSTRALIAN coach Mick Malthouse says it is imperative the upcoming International Rules series against Ireland in October will be played in the correct manner, after the last series in 2006 was marred by on-field controversy.

Malthouse said for the future of the series, the relationship between the Australian and Irish teams needed to be "first-class".

"I believe this very firmly that we have invited guests and under the circumstances, we will play to the rules and we want to have a pleasant taste to this game – in other words when people walk away from it, they understand that we've played to our maximum within the rules," Malthouse said.

"I am a great believer in sportsmanship and always have been, and I think that's first and foremost when you're playing a team like this that sportsmanship is never left out of it – it's OK to win it, it's OK to go as hard as you possibly can, within the rules.

"But I will never coach outside of the sportsmanship that is required – particularly with young men that have got an opportunity to represent their country at the highest level in Australian Rules that we have, and I'll be ensuing that does take place."

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson confirmed any player suspended in an International Rules test would miss matches during the AFL season.

Malthouse said all players were in contention to be selected.

"No one is going to be excluded from it. Young Rhys Palmer for instance, there's the sort of player you'd look at – now I'm not saying he's in the list – but there is a first-year player, and you'll be looking at older players that have been very, very good for Australia in the past," Malthouse said.

"I have a broad view, but it's got to be a side that is highly competitive, wants to play … we want people who genuinely want to be out there and represent Australia. It's a wonderful opportunity."