Dockers coach urges AFL's best to join him

Australia are aiming to win back the Cormac McAnallen Trophy in November when they take on Ireland in two International Rules Tests.

Coach of the Dockers Ross Lyon

Coach Ross Lyon wants the AFL's best players available for the International Rules series. (AAP)

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has urged the AFL's best players to make themselves available for the International Rules series, saying the injury risk is well worth the experience.

Australia will attempt to win back the Cormac McAnallen Trophy in November against Ireland.

Game one is on November 12 at Adelaide Oval, and the second is six days later at Perth's Domain Stadium.

Lyon and Brad Scott have been appointed as assistants, with Geelong premiership coach Chris Scott named as head coach.

Only All-Australian players can be selected.

Lyon has declared he will make Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe available for the series.

"As special and as important as he is to us ... the risk is mitigated by the experience that you can have, and the opportunity to mix with great players," Lyon said.

The 25-year-old Fyfe injured his right shoulder while diving for a mark in an International Rules warm-up match leading into the 2014 series.

Fyfe couldn't take part in the one-off Test that year.

He has only just begun to regain top form after overcoming two leg fractures over the past two years.

Despite the risks, Fyfe said he was itching to represent his country.

"By the time this season finishes, I'll be hitting my straps and keen to play on and keep that touch up," Fyfe said.

"The International Rules series gives me that opportunity."

Kicking and marking a round ball presents a unique challenge for Australia's players.

"This ball spins a bit differently in the air when they kick it on the side," Fyfe said.

"Ultimately, that's what did my shoulder last time, so I'll be doing a bit of extra preparation on how to catch this thing."

Australia beat Ireland 56-46 in Perth in 2014, before Ireland regained the trophy in 2015 with a 56-52 win in Dublin.

This will be the first two-Test series since 2013.

Lyon said his experiences with the national set-up helped give him an invaluable insight into how the league's best players prepared.

"We'd played a game, and everyone was asked to do a recovery run," Lyon explained.

"Joel Selwood and Harry Taylor went out and ran seven kilometres.

"So you got an insight into the mindset and what you're up against.

"You can take that back and share that with your own player group - how fanatical some of the players are out there, and what you're competing against."


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Source: AAP



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