We're not here to fight Irish: Selwood
By Justin Chadwick 20/10/2008 06:40:39 PM
Australia vice-captain Adam Selwood says the team knows where to draw the line in regards to on-field ferocity in Friday's series-opening International Rules football clash with Ireland at Subiaco Oval. The hybrid game was called off after a spiteful 2006 series but Selwood said Australia weren't thugs who simply wanted to "fight the Irish". "We've gone through the rules and understand now what's acceptable and what's not compared to the last series," Selwood said. "Obviously it did get out of hand a little bit for about 10 minutes there (in the last series) but I think the guys know where it stands. "If something like that happens again the series is off pretty much forever. "So we're not here to fight the Irish or anything like that, we've got the utmost respect for them and I'm just hopeful it's going to be a good game and a fair game." In a bid to ease any lingering tension, organisers have scheduled a meet-and-greet dinner for the two sides on Wednesday night. "Irish guys are always good, fun blokes to meet . . . I'm sure it's going to be good fun," Selwood said. He dismissed suggestions Australia did not treat the series seriously, saying each member of the team had jumped at the chance to represent their country. "This is the only opportunity we get to play for our country and these guys have come over here on their break because they want to play the game and they are very serious for it," Selwood said. "If they weren't they'd be somewhere else, having a holiday in Thailand." Selwood is only one of six players in the 25-man squad to have taken part in the series before. The 24-year-old has been named a vice-captain along with Hawthorn's Campbell Brown. North Melbourne's Brent Harvey will captain the side.
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