Patrick Dangerfield says he’s looking forward to playing alongside some of the AFL’s best players in the International Rules Test against Ireland in Perth on Saturday.

Dangerfield and Crows teammate Brodie Smith are members of the 24-man Australian squad, which is exclusively made up of All-Australian players of this season or previous years. Geelong skipper and premiership player Joel Selwood will captain the side, while Alastair Clarkson will coach.

The Australian squad met in Sydney for a training camp on Sunday. The team warmed up with a game against a NSW Gaelic team in Western Sydney on Tuesday. Fremantle star Nat Fyfe suffered a sprained AC joint late in the match and will miss the clash with Ireland. The Aussie squad flew to Perth on Tuesday night to continue its preparations for Saturday night’s clash at Patersons Stadium.

Dangerfield is one of nine Aussie players returning to the round-ball game.

Dangerfield, Luke Hodge, Brendon Goddard, Robbie Gray, Brent Harvey, Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh, Leigh Montagna and Nick Riewoldt have all represented their country in the series previously. Regular goalkeeper Dustin Fletcher has also been selected for his fourth International Rules campaign. 

Dangerfield described his 2010 tour of Ireland as one of the highlights of his career.

“I played in the International Rules series under Mick Malthouse in 2010. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had in footy. You build some really good relationships on trips like that,” he said.

“I’m just really excited about seeing a team that’s got guys like Joel Selwood, ‘Boomer’ Harvey and Dustin Fletcher all in the one side. Playing with the best of the best against the Irish, it’s going to be a great build up and a great game.”

Smith, who was selected in the 2014 All Australian team, is a newcomer to International Rules.

However, the long-kicking South Australian has history with the round ball, having played soccer as a junior. He even gave up Australian Rules for a season to focus on soccer as a teenager.

Dangerfield tipped Smith to be a natural at the hybrid International Rules game.

“Smithers is a pretty good kick, so I don’t think we’ll have to worry too much about him. He basically kicks around a corner better than anyone I’ve seen,” Dangerfield said.

“It’s a fast man’s game. Speed is the key and Brodie certainly has that.”

Of the big names not named in the squad, Gold Coast star Gary Ablett and Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury were unavailable because of shoulder operations, with Sydney Swans star Lance Franklin also absent. 

The Australian squad is: Grant Birchall (Hawthorn), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), Luke Breust (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), Nat Fyfe (Fremantle), Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Brent Harvey (North Melbourne), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Kieren Jack (Sydney Swans), Steve Johnson (Geelong Cats), Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Nic Naitanui (West Coast), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions), Joel Selwood (Geelong Cats), Brodie Smith (Adelaide Crows), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans), Harry Taylor (Geelong Cats), Jobe Watson (Essendon) and Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide). Coach – Alastair Clarkson. Assistant Coaches – Tadhg Kennelly, Ross Lyon, Chris Scott