Laois's Ross Munnelly has become Ireland's first major injury concern ahead of Friday's first International Rules Test in Perth. Munnelly was caught up in a training ground collision and sustained a dead leg.
Team doctor Con Murphy said that it was too early to make a decision on the player's chances of taking part but as of last night Munnelly remained a serious doubt.
Meanwhile Australia assistant manger Jim Stynes outlined the host country's advantages heading into the series.
The former Dublin minor All-Ireland winner, also a Brownlow medallist in the AFL, was speaking to before the team headed to Perth yesterday.
"I think our speed will help us, but our competitiveness will be the key. We should be able to win more of the 50-50 balls because we are professional athletes and we are attacking as well as defensive.
"A lot of the Irish players they don't defend very well, they are all burst players and I am hoping that will give us an edge.
"The Irish will be just as good (as last year), maybe five to 10 per cent better, but we have more scope for improvement than them."
