Scott in charge for Irish series

GEELONG coach Chris Scott, pictured at Simonds Stadium yesterday, will lead Australia in its two-Test Virgin Australia International Rules Series against Ireland, to be played in Australia later this year.

AFL football operations manager Andrew Dillon said Scott, the 2011 premiership coach, had accepted an invitation to lead the side after Hawthorn’s Alastair Clarkson had completed his two-series appointment.

An important part of Clarkson’s appointment was his desire to ensure and facilitate a transition of coaching of the team to one of his assistants across the last two series.

Scott served as one of Clarkson’s assistants for the 2014 and 2015 series against the Irish and Dillon said the AFL was delighted he had accepted the role.

‘‘The Australian team for the Virgin Australia IRS matches will again be comprised only of players who have been nominated as an All-Australian at some point during their careers, and the AFL was seeking for an All-Australian coach, which is one of our premiership coaches, to head the panel to lead our elite players,” Dillon said.

“Chris has considerable IRS experience as an assistant for the past two series and also as a player in the 2001 series in Australia.”

Scott said he was looking forward to stepping into the senior role. “Having experienced this series as both a player and as a member of the coaching staff, I know first-hand how much this means to the people involved,” Scott said.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon would again return to the coaching panel, having worked alongside Clarkson and Scott in 2014-15, while North Melbourne coach Brad Scott would join the coaching panel.

Brad Scott was a playing member of the 2002 Australian team that toured Ireland under Garry Lyon and regained the Cormac McAnnellen trophy on foreign soil.

Venue dates and locations for the two Tests will be announced before the start of the finals series.