AFL GAA IRS: 2011 International Rules series Brad Green will captain Australia

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MELBOURNE captain Brad Green will achieve a unique honour when he captains Australia in the coming International Rules Series.

Green, who was appointed captain of the Australian team on Tuesday afternoon, will lead an Australian sporting team for the second time in his life after also captaining the Australian under-15 cricket team in the mid-90s.

Throw in his famous trial with English soccer giant Manchester United as a teenager and Green's list of sporting achievements rank among the most diverse of any sportsman in the world.

Green beat out a tough field of candidates including Geelong's James Kelly and North Melbourne's Andrew Swallow, who have been named his vice-captains along with Melbourne teammate James Frawley.

But as the only man in the Australian squad to also be a club captain, as well as his previous experience of two International Rules Series, Green was a logical choice to lead the team.

Green has previously played for Australia in 2004 and 2010.

He said being given the chance to lead his country ranked among his proudest achievements.

"It's a huge honour. When Rocket (coach Rodney Eade) told me yesterday I was going to be captain, I had a couple of minutes to think about it and yeah, it's up there with the achievements that have gone before in my career," Green said on Tuesday.

"It is certainly a huge highlight and one I am rapt to take on."

The 30-year-old said his diverse sporting background gave him an advantage in adjusting to the hybrid game.

"I think it does [help]. This ball is pretty similar to a soccer ball. It is certainly different from picking it up with your hands to kicking it along the ground. For our guys it is the biggest disadvantage we have going into this game," he said.

"Basically you get out there and play football like you would normally. The difference is we're playing with the round ball. That's the biggest difference. The challenge for our guys is to kick the ball and that's what we've been working on the past few days."

The Australian selection policy has raised some eyebrows with several low-profile players named in the squad. But Green said the team picked looked to be well-balanced with each player capable of transferring their skills to the hybrid game.

"They're looking great. They've got a good mix of experienced guys who have been picked and some great youth who are coming through who could play this series for the next five to 10 years," Green said.

"The squad's been great and I've been amazed at how well they've picked the round ball up."

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[MyCORMAC]

no wonder yas got hammered

[BigJohnny27]

why didnt ablett and judd etc play?

[BigJohnny27]

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