Brisbane Lions teammates Tom Rockliff and Pearce Hanley will have to briefly put their friendship aside on Saturday 22 November when they face-off as opponents in the 2014 International Rules Series in Perth.
Rockliff will represent Australia in the hybrid game for the first time, while Hanley will be part of the Irish camp for the second time against his adopted new home.
The pair were together in Brisbane on Wednesday to help promote the upcoming clash, with both proudly parading their respective national colours.
The Lions will be the only AFL side to have representatives in both sides next weekend, making for an interesting dynamic should the players cross each other during the upcoming encounter.
“There will be nothing dirty between me and Rocky but if we run into each other, I’m sure we won’t hold back,” Hanley told The Courier Mail on Wednesday.
“We come across each other at training all the time and hit each other hard so it will be no different.
“It’s the only chance we get to represent our countries. Unlike other sports, this is all we’ve got, so it definitely means something.”
The 2014 International Rules Series promises to be one of the most eagerly anticipated in history considering the Australian squad is made up of the game’s biggest names.
It’s by far the strongest line-up that has ever Australia has ever boasted, and was compiled in the hope of ending Ireland’s recent dominance.
“I might end up carrying the drinks for the Aussie team,” Rockliff joked. “It’s the elite of the elite.
“It will be a great experience for me to just see how those boys prepare themselves.
“They have picked the strongest team possible to get the game off the ground. The Irish have had it over the Aussies for the last few years so we will be out for redemption.”
Mate against mate
Teammates Tom Rockliff and Pearce Hanley are set to go head-to-head