STAR Cats defender Harry Taylor is looking forward to lining up alongside new teammate Patrick Dangerfield in the one-off International Rules Test in Ireland.
Taylor and Dangerfield have both arrived in New York for a training camp to prepare for the Test, which will take place at Dublin’s Croke Park on Saturday, November 21.
“It’s a bit strange that we will actually be playing for Australia together before we play for Geelong together,” Taylor told SEN.
“But it is pretty cool that I’ll be getting to play with Paddy.
“I knew him a little bit from last year’s [International Rules] series and he was a super guy to get to talk to and great to hang out with.
“But he also knows how to play footy, and he’s pretty good with the round ball as well.
“I’m really looking forward to the immediate future with him but also the longer-term future as well.”
Taylor played his first International Rules game when he lined up against Ireland in the one-off Test played at Patersons Stadium in Perth in 2014.
“I just had a fantastic time so I certainly put my hand straight back up to represent Australia again,” he said.
The bulk of the Australian squad flew into New York on Monday and was set to have its first training run on Tuesday.
But Taylor is already well and truly recovered from his jet lag, as he has been in the United States for a number of days undergoing tests as part of hydration research for Gatorade.
Western Bulldogs forward Jake Stringer, Hawthorn defender Grant Birchall, Hawks skipper Luke Hodge, West Coast midfielder Andrew Gaff and Port Adelaide onballer Robbie Gray have also been participating in the Gatorade testing.
“It’s a pretty exciting time,” Taylor said.
“We’re basically working through our sweat rates and where our energy is being used and what type of fuels we’re using, whether that be carbohydrates, fats or proteins.
“We’re using some new Gatorade products to see if we can replenish that energy more effectively, to make us better athletes, so we can run around the field a bit longer and play better football.”
The focus of the testing is Gatorade’s aim to develop individually tailored drinks for elite sportspeople.
“The longer-term plan is to work this stuff into most of the AFL clubs,” Taylor said.
“I’ll be certainly taking back my knowledge to the Cats.”
2015 Virgin Australia International Rules squad:
Hayden Ballantyne (Fremantle), Eddie Betts (Adelaide Crows), Grant Birchall (Hawthorn), Luke Bruest (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Geelong Cats), Dustin Fletcher (Essendon), Andrew Gaff (West Coast), Brendon Goddard (Essendon), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Dyson Heppell (Essendon), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), David Mundy (Fremantle), Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions), Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans), Jake Stringer (Western Bulldogs), Harry Taylor (Geelong Cats), Easton Wood (Western Bulldogs).
