COLM O'Neill has emerged as the biggest threat to Australia's defence after impressing with four goals for Ireland in a practice match against a VFL representative squad on Sunday.

The Irish easily defeated the local team, made up of VFL and amateur players, by 73 points despite taking their foot off the pedal in the last quarter.

O'Neill kicked four of Ireland's nine goals on the way to the victory and looms as a considerable challenge for Australia's defenders and goal-keeper in the one-off Test next Saturday.

The 26-year-old from Cork, who plays for Ballyclough and is on his International Rules debut, has endured a tough time with injury in his career, undergoing a knee reconstruction on both legs.

But he has bounced back strongly and will be part of a confident attacking set up when the teams meet at Patersons Stadium next weekend.





Brisbane Lions midfielder Pearce Hanley – the only AFL-listed player in the Irish squad – impressed in the practice hit-out at Sandringham's Trevor Barker Oval, despite copping a knock to his jaw.

Hanley didn't play in the last quarter but assured AFL.com.au afterwards he was fine after the third quarter run-in with Sandringham's Adam Cockie.

Former Lion Colm Begley also impressed, as did 12-time Ireland representative and International Rules veteran Sean Cavanagh, who gave the visitors good run off half back.