The Australian panel

37 Adam Goodes (Sydney Swans – Captain) Previous caps: 2 – 2001, Ht: 6ft 4in Age: 30

Twice a Brownlow medallist (AFL Player of the Year) and an imposing central player, who scored well in the practice match.

5 Matthew Boyd (Western Bulldogs – Vice captain) Previous caps: 2 – 2008, Ht: 6ft Age: 28

Experienced defender, one of the AFL’s best tacklers.

6 Kade Simpson (Carlton – Vice captain) Previous caps: 4 – 2006, ’08, Ht: 6ft Age: 26

A great ball winner with the ability to carry it forward, he was Australia’s player of the series two years ago (Jim Stynes medallist).

36 Dane Swan (Collingwood – Vice captain) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 1in Age: 26

One of the squad’s All Australians (AFL All Stars) and considered unlucky not to win the Brownlow.

31 Dustin Fletcher (Essendon) Previous caps: 4 – 2005, ’06, Ht: 6ft 6in Age: 35

Best Australian goalkeeper, he has combined good shot stopping with innovative kick-outs that played big role in the 2005 success.

1 Travis Varcoe (Geelong Cats) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 5ft 11in Age: 22

Fast and skilful player who plays around the middle in the AFL but likely to feature in attack during the tests.

2 Bryce Gibbs (Carlton) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 2in Age: 21

Hugely promising footballer, who was newcomer of the year in 2007 and likely to alternate between midfield and half back.

3 Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft Age: 25

Featured in one of several midfield combinations used in Wednesday’s practice match, he is a threat going forward.

4 Daniel Cross (Western Bulldogs) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 2in

Age: 27

Big engine and uses it to work hard and get on to a lot of possession. One of Australia’s best ball winners.

7 James Frawley (Melbourne) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 4in

Age: 22

An All Australian defender this season, he has also been detailed to understudy Fletcher in goal.

8 Jack Riewoldt (Richmond) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 5in

Age: 21

Coleman medallist (AFL top scorer), he showed in Cork this week that his fielding ability and accuracy make him a significant threat.

9 Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 2in

Age: 22

Hard-working young player with good pace, he’s another likely to be deployed breaking from the half back zone.

11 Leigh Montagna (St Kilda) Previous caps: 2 – 2008, Ht: 5ft 10in Age: 26

Another of this year’s All Australians, he demonstrated his facility with the round ball two years ago and is very mobile.

12 Tyson Goldsack (Collingwood) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 4in

Age: 23

Talented defender who overcame illness to finish AFL season strongly in Collingwood’s replayed grand final win.

14 Sam Gilbert (St Kilda) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 4in Age: 24

Versatile player likely to be used in attack where his fielding ability (second highest number of marks in AFL this season) will take watching.

15 Kieran Jack (Sydney Swans) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 5ft 10in Age: 23

Player of the Year at Sydney, he is hard working and one of the AFL’s best taggers (man markers).

17 Todd Banfield (Brisbane Lions) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft Age: 20

Speedy and aggressive, good ball winner and an industrious marker.

18 Brad Green (Melbourne) Previous caps: 2 – 2004, Ht: 6ft Age: 29

Melbourne’s Player of the Year, he had his best season to date as a scorer and carried that form into Wednesday’s practice match, top-scoring with 22.

19 Eddie Betts (Carlton) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 5ft 8in Age: 23

Another serious scorer who will play up front, he was one of the four Australians in double figures in Cork.

32 Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide Crows) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 2in Age: 20

One of the hungry young ball winners, he plays high tempo and with excellent physical commitment.

40 David Wojcinski (Geelong Cats) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 5ft 11in Age: 30

Well into his career but still improving, he brings strength and movement to the middle of the park and an ability to get forward.

41 Paul Duffield (Fremantle) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft 2in

Age: 25

Very assured on the ball and knows when to pick his moment to counter-attack.

42 Liam Picken (Western Bulldogs) Previous caps: Debut, Ht: 6ft Age: 24

Tough and skilful defensive midfielder, good at exerting pressure on opponents and a strong tackler.

Seán Moran