Carlton veteran Kade Simpson is set to swap the navy blue for the green and gold when he lines up for Australia in the upcoming Virgin Australia International Rules Series in November.
The AFL today confirmed the completed Australian team set to compete in the two-test Virgin Australia International Rules Series matches against Ireland in November, with six additional players added to the squad.
The 33-year-old joins Ben Brown (North Melbourne), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Neville Jetta (Melbourne), Luke Shuey (West Coast) and Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne) who have now been included in the 22-man squad.
Simpson has previously featured in three International Rules Series, both in 2006 and 2008 where he was named the Jim Stynes Medallist for his latter campaign, and in 2010 when he was vice captain.
The Australian squad will come together in Adelaide on Thursday November 9 ahead of the first test.
Australia will host Ireland at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday November 12 (3.40pm ACDT) and then at Domain Stadium on Saturday November 18 (4.45pm AWST). Ireland currently holds the Cormac McAnnellen Trophy after its victory in the one-off test at Croke Park in Dublin 2015.
'Simmo' competes in the 2010 International Rules Series. (Photo: AFL Media)
Australian coach Chris Scott said the new squad members had been specifically targeted for key roles in the line-up after all having been in outstanding form this season
“All six players who will complete the Australian squad have been members of the All Australian season squad during their careers, as elite players of the competition, and each has been in outstanding form this season,” he said.
“They provide us with a mix of both height in defence and attack and speed through the midfield.
“Kade Simpson is a previous Jim Stynes Medallist (2008) and has been a star in IRS matches while Brown, Shuey, Jetta, Gunston, and Tarrant were all outstanding for their respective clubs this year.”
Ticket prices for both venues start at $25 for adults and $50 for a family ticket.
2017 Full Australian Squad:
Gary Ablett (Geelong), Eddie Betts (Adelaide Crows), Ben Brown (North Melbourne), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats), Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle), Jack Gunston (Hawthorn), Brendon Goddard (Essendon), 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 Eagles), Kade Simpson (Carlton),Rory Sloane (Adelaide Crows), Robbie Tarrant (North Melbourne), Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide), Dayne Zorko (Brisbane Lions).
