Sheedy includes Voss in Australian squad

International Rules: Australian manager Kevin Sheedy has confirmed the inclusion of AFL legend Michael Voss in the squad to play Ireland in the International Rules series.

Voss has consistently snubbed the hybrid game in the past but the 31-year-old former Brisbane Lions player wants to represent his country before officially retiring. Sheedy received assurances from Voss that his fitness would be up to the required standard after a career blighted by injury in recent times.

"He will be a terrific leader for us and this will also give him a great opportunity to represent Australia off the field," said Sheedy.

"I played for Australia in 1978, at around the same stage of my career, and that series under my belt helped my development to later go into coaching and selecting teams. You never know where this may lead Michael in his future off-field career.

"The International Rules game goes for around 75 minutes and this was about the time that Michael spent on the ground this year for the Lions per game. He accumulated more than 460 possessions in this time and that's a sensational effort for a guy playing three quarters of a game, in a team that was hanging on.

"Michael has assured me that he's fully committed and wants to go and he also told me that if it was a choice between him and a young player, that we should take the young player on the tour. However, I told him the squad already has plenty of youth and we want to be able to draw on his experience as well as the future coaching options it may provide for him."

The AFL also announced 2006 Coleman Medallist Brendan Fevola would join the squad to replace St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt, who has withdrawn. The Australian squad will gather for a training camp next week before departing for Ireland on October 21st.