International Rules: Seán Moranruns the rule over the Australian panel.
James Kelly (Geelong Cats)
Star of Geelong’s Premiership triumph – a club he’s been with for 10 years now – the 27-year-old is set to play a foraging role at the back, tidying up and linking play. (Debut)
Zac Smith (Gold Coast)
Soccer background made Smith a front runner for the goalkeeping position vacated by the injured Dustin Fletcher, but the big ruckman might be wanted outfield. (Debut)
Shaun Grigg (Richmond)
Consistent performer for his new club, the 23-year-old has a high work-rate and the advantage of having played in the under-17 internationals in 2005. (Debut)
Mark Nicoski (W Coast)
A high-scoring forward, Nicoski is good under the high ball, has adapted to the round ball and may put pressure on Ireland’s full backs. Also in the frame for goalkeeping position. (Debut)
Jack Trengove (Melbourne)
Highly rated 20-year-old player with drive and leadership qualities, he has the physicality and movement to make a success of the international game. (Debut)
Trent McKenzie (G Coast)
Another of the younger, faster AFL players who will hope to exploit the smaller, international pitch, McKenzie is also renowned for having one of the longest kicks in the game. (Debut)
Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide)
Selected as the AFL answer to a typical GAA corner forward, the 23-year-old is compact, fast and a good ball winner as well as an intelligent user of possession. (Debut)
Bernie Vince (Adelaide)
Big and mobile, Vince caught the eye at training on Tuesday evening and was name checked by his manager afterwards. One of the more experienced players in the panel. (Debut)]
Richard Douglas (Adelaide Crows)
Having a quieter season than 2010, though he’s still a regular first-team player for Adelaide, and he brings athleticism and willingness to the engine room of the Australian team. (Debut)
Easton Wood (W Bulldogs)
Could almost be one of the Irish backs. Tall, but not huge and confident on the ball, the 21-year-old’s runs from deep will need to be checked. Season hampered by an ankle injury. (Debut)
David Wojcinski (Geelong Cats)
Three-time Premiership winner, Wojcinski is a line-breaking defender, who got unlucky with injury in last year’s series. On the verge of 200 appearances for Geelong. (2010)
Brad Green (Melbourne, captain)
Melbourne captain who, like Anthony Tohill, trialled at Manchester United. Twelve months ago he was top scorer in the practice match and repeated the feat in the second Test. (2004 and ’10)
Andrew Swallow (North Melbourne, v captain)
Joint winner of his club’s Best and Fairest, the 24-year-old Swallow has a big engine and good vision on the ball, making him ideal for the international game. (Debut)
Angus Monfries (Essendon)
A career best 27 goals for the Essendon Bombers made the 24-year-old a likely call-up for the attack with the ability to win his ball and a scoring instinct. (Debut)
Mitch Robinson (Carlton)
A hard-running defensive midfielder, Robinson is an abrasive marker with the pace and stamina to track opponents attempting to break through the middle. (Debut)
Liam Shiels (Hawthorn)
Expected to be one of Australia’s key workers at midfield, getting on ball, running with possession and setting up attacks. Has an Irish father and played Gaelic football when young. (Debut)
James Frawley (Melbourne)
An All Australian defender last year when he was also the team’s back-up goalkeeper, Frawley’s form has been good again this season in Australia. A tight marker with pace. (2010)
Callan Ward (GWS Giants)
A midfielder with plenty of energy, Ward was at the centre of a transfer saga between the Western Bulldogs and the Great Western Sydney Giants before making the move. (Debut)
Robbie Nahas (Richmond)
Another Aussie pocket-rocket international, Nahas is smaller than the AFL average, but very fast on the break, can carry the ball well and ended the season with 29 goals. (Debut)
Ben McGlynn (Sydney)
Another smaller, nippier AFL player, the 26-year-old – whomoved from Hawthorn to Sydney Swans last year – has a scoring track record as a counter attacker. (Debut)
Stephen Milne (St Kilda)
An All Australian this season during which he averaged more than two goals a game, the 31-year-old is one of the best roving forwards in the Australian game. (2002)
Jake King (Richmond)
What he lacks in height he makes up in bulk with an appetite for gym work that has him known as the “Push Up King”. Expected put pressure on Ireland’s defence. (Debut)
Matthew Suckling (Hawthorn)
The key man in turning defence into attack for his club Hawthorn, it remains to be seen how comfortably the relatively inexperienced Suckling adapts to the round ball. (Debut)