Twelve months after the shocking violence which scarred last year's contest in Australia, when a head-high tackle by Australian co-captain Chris Johnson nearly decapitated Ireland's Philip Jordan in the second Test, Sheedy has called for the finger pointing against his team to stop.

He readily accepts Irish concerns that any repeat of the thuggery, which became the talking point of the last series, could kill off the future of the hybrid contest, but he insists the Irish are not entirely blameless.

"I can understand the concerns of the GAA President Nickey Brennan saying the future of the series could be jeopardised if there is any more violence, because what happened in the second Test last year was very disappointing, " Sheedy said.

"The sad thing is that three or four minutes of violence overshadowed what was a sensational first Test victory for Australia. Both sides played some fantastic football in that game in Perth but nobody talks about that now.

We have a young group going to Ireland on Saturday and it does worry me that what happened last year will cloud the series this year.

"It should also be remembered that in Australian rules football, tripping and ankle tapping are considered to be more serious offences than throwing punches, whereas in Ireland it's probably the other way around. Hopefully both teams will ensure that we have a clean series this time around because any sort of violence is unacceptable and players have to remember that they just can't do it."

Sheedy, who is the second longest-serving coach in AFL history and the veteran of four Premierships with the Essendon Bombers, regards only his marriage and fatherhood as bigger achievements than being Australian coach.

"No other sport in the world could bring together two different football codes and combine them into one game played in front of sellout crowds, " Sheedy said.

"People in both countries need to realise that Australia's Irish heritage is very strong. The series is the jewel in the crown of football in both Ireland and Australia and it has an exciting future.

We have to look at it from the point of view that the International Rules Series should be about building bridges between the two countries.

"I think both countries have done that to some extent but we need to work even harder at it. The international rules contest is a unique contest that gives Irish and Australian players the opportunity to represent their country, and for me, being Australia's coach, is amongst the top three achievements of my life."

Australia's 2004 international rules team was widely criticised for its below-par performances in Ireland that year. Garry Lyon's team lost both Test matches amidst allegations that players took partying more seriously than football. Sheedy believes his team is the most professional and committed to ever play on these shores.

"Dustin Fletcher [Australian defender] was on holiday visiting his relatives in Northern England when he found out he was selected in our international rules squad, " he said. "He flew back to Australia and is now flying to Ireland within the space of 10 days which shows people how much it means to him to play."

"The important thing is that I have got a team that wants to play for Australia and I know how much it means to them to win the series. The fact the stadiums will be sold out tells people how much it means for the players and the supporters. I am very excited by the challenge ahead and we expect nothing less than a tough contest against Ireland."