Hawthorn triple-premiership star Jack Gunston says he jumped at the chance to play for Australia in the upcoming International Rules series.
Gunston was one of six additional players named on Thursday to join the initial squad announced by the AFL in October.
North Melbourne pair Robbie Tarrant and Ben Brown, Carlton's Kade Simpson, Melbourne's Neville Jetta and West Coast's Luke Shuey also joined the star-studded lineup.
"When you get a phone call asking you if you want to represent your country it's pretty hard to knock back," Gunston told reporters.
"It was one that I wasn't expecting, but whether it was the day before or half a year before it wasn't something I was going to knock back."
Of the additional players named, only Jetta and Brown made this year's initial 40-man All Australian squad where the bulk of the International Rules series team is drawn from.
Brownlow medallists Gary Ablett, Patrick Dangerfield and Nat Fyfe headline the lineup for the two-Test series against Ireland that kicks off at Adelaide Oval on November 12.
Key defender Tarrant is a candidate to take the goalkeeper's gloves, with Essendon's Brendon Goddard also a chance to replace long-running goalkeeper and former Bombers teammate Dustin Fletcher.
"I'm not sure ... I reckon it's the toughest role out there," Tarrant said.
"I haven't thought too much about it, but I'm up for anything ... I'll play wherever they want me to.
"I'm just looking forward to the opportunity to represent my country."
Greater Western Sydney star Toby Greene had to withdraw from the team after breaking his little toe in a mishap while on holiday in New York.
The squad, to be coached by Geelong's Chris Scott, will convene in Adelaide on Thursday for their first training session.
The series will then conclude at Domain Stadium in Perth on November 18.
The complete Australian International Rules squad:
Gary Ablett (Gold Coast Suns), Eddie Betts (Adelaide Crows), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), Ben Brown (North Melbourne), Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle), Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Michael Hibberd (Melbourne), Neville Jetta (Melbourne), Rory Laird (Adelaide Crows), Zac Merrett (Essendon), Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood), Paddy Ryder (Port Adelaide), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats), Luke Shuey (West Coast), Rory Sloane (Adelaide Crows), Kade Simpson (Carlton), Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne), Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide), Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions).
Share
