RAFTERS TO TACKLE THE IRISH AGAIN
After debuting in 2006, ARW's managing director Adrian "Rafters" Raftery has again been named to play for the Australian Masters AFL against the Irish touring team later this year. Starting on October 25, the countries will be playing 2 test matches in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast and will co-incide with the reintroduction of the official International Rules series between the AFL and the GAA.
The Australian squad is not short of big names, with Rafters being joined in illustrious company with 10 former AFL players in the squad, including dual Brownlow medalist former Swans and Carlton great Greg "Diesel" Williams.
The Australian Masters team have never beaten their Irish counterparts in 4 previous series but Rafters fancies the Wombats chances this year.
'We got close to them last time in Ireland but we now have the home ground advantage. With the warm weather as well as some good old Australian hospitality (read beer), we feel that we can get them this time round," joked Raftery.
International Rules is a mixture of Australian Rules and Gaelic football and will be a challenge for the AFL team who will need to become familiar with handling and kicking the round ball which is used in International Rules.
The side will be coached by former Hawthorn premiership player Paul Hudson and managed by Paul's famous father, goalkicking legend Peter Hudson.
Adrian meeting up with some of his Irish relatives after the 1st test match in Galway
