Mitch, who is currently home in Tasmania, is the only Carlton player named in the 24-man squad that will be led by former Sydney Swans and Western Bulldogs coach Rodney Eade.
“I am thrilled to be selected in the squad and am really looking forward to getting together with the team for training. It is a great honour and I can’t wait to run out and represent Australia at Etihad Stadium in two weeks time,” Robinson said today.
The first Test will be played at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Friday October 28, with the second Test played at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast on Friday November 4.
The squad will come together in Melbourne next week to prepare for the series, before travelling to the Gold Coast on Sunday October 30. Both Test matches have been strongly supported respectively by the Victorian and Queensland State Governments and will be broadcast nationally by Network Ten.
Carlton coach Brett Ratten said Robinson’s selection was reward for his season in which he missed just the one game, finished 7th in the John Nicholls Medal and had the third most centre clearances for Carlton.
Coach of the International Rules Team Rodney Eade said the Australian party is suited to the demands of the hybrid game, with an emphasis around players with particularly strong kicking skills, pace and the ability to move the ball quickly, as well as being able to defend against the well-skilled Irish side.
“To be successful against Irish sides who have an emphasis on a fast-moving forward line and great ball skills, we need to select players who are both quick across the ground and have good foot skills that can adapt to the round ball very quickly,” Eade said.
“We have selected well-performed players in the youth bracket of 20-24 year olds around the competition to provide spark and enthusiasm, combined with a proven track record in AFL footy of their running power,” he said.
The squad was selected by Rodney Eade, assistant coaches Wayne Campbell and Andrew McLeod, Match Committee Member Brad Johnson and AFL Football Administration Manager Rod Austin.
Tickets are now on sale via Ticketmaster: call 1300 136 122 or visit ticketmaster.com.au.
