New coach says Aussies will play by the rules

MICK MALTHOUSE was yesterday confirmed as the new coach to the Australian International Rules team and the Collingwood boss has promised that there will be no repeat of the violent scenes that marred the previous two series.

The Australians have won the last two series under former Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy but both successes – in 2005 and 2006 — were marred by the on-field controversies that saw the concept suspended last year.

The hybrid code returns in three months’ time with a test at Perth’s Subiaco Oval and another at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Malthouse’s words yesterday are sure to be welcomed warmly in Croke Park.