FOR A game so foreign to any player who embarks on it, experience in International Rules is a major asset.
Before Friday night's First Test at Subiaco Oval, only six of the 25-man Australian squad had previously represented their country in a series.
And while Ryan Crowley had only played twice before – in 2006 – he has been a source of education for many teammates getting to know the round ball for the first time.
"A few of the guys have come up to me asking me different aspects of the game and the way the different rules are," he said.
"It’s really good and I’ve enjoyed it."
The 24-year-old says he has been impressed with how well those players have adjusted to the hybrid code and expects more improvement before this Friday's deciding Test at the MCG.
"I thought we picked it up really quick," Crowley said.
"All the boys here are skilful guys and we got some balls sent to us a couple of weeks beforehand just to get the feel of them.
"With that couple of weeks you pick it up fairly quickly. Even over the next week you’ll see us get better and better."
Ireland won the First Test by a point, holding off a fast-finishing Australia that trailed by 13 points at three-quarter time.
The Fremantle utility says Australia will look continue its hard running and tackling that was a feature of the narrow defeat.
"The tackle count was a lot in our favour and that is the thing that got us back in the game," Crowley said.
"That is one advantage we’ve got so we’ll try to capitalise on that."
Acknowledging Ireland's contrasting style of play, Crowley has faith in Australia's more physical approach as a means of claiming the series.
"They’re a very skill-based side and like to kick the ball longer," he said of the irish.
"I think Mick (Malthouse) tried not to highlight our skill deficiencies or anything like that.
"We’ve just talked about our game plan and game style."
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The 2008 International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
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.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
