IRISH duo Carl Dias and Brian Donnelly have arrived in Adelaide to begin a three-week trial with the Crows.
The two Gaelic footballers landed in South Australia on Tuesday night and were still jetlagged when they got their first live glimpse of Australian football action at Crows training on Wednesday.
Dias, 19, was a member of last year’s Dublin under-18 football squad while County Louth’s Donnelly, who turns 20 this Friday, has been playing for his county’s under-21 side this season.
Dias and Donnelly were formally introduced to the Sherrin in a kicking session on Wednesday afternoon.
“We thought we were okay before [with the Australian football] but we were taught new techniques on how to hold it,” Dias told afc.com.au.
“It was tough to start [this morning] but we started getting the hang of it.”
The duo admitted their knowledge of Australian football was limited.
“I’d heard about Tadhg Kennelly and saw it on the international rules but I didn’t know much about the Crows,” Dias said.
“I’d watched some on an Irish channel that shows Australian football highlights. I’m coming here with an open mind and hope. I hope it works out, the club is fantastic.”
Kennelly, the most prominent Irishman in the AFL, is one of a growing number of players, including Collingwood’s Marty Clarke and Blues brothers Setanta and Aisake O’hAilpin, to make the move from the Gaelic code to Australian football.
There are currently also four Irish youngsters listed as International players on club rookie lists, but Adelaide is yet to draft an overseas recruit.
Crows recruiting manager Matthew Rendell said it was exciting to have the pair in Adelaide.
“There has been a fair bit of work involved so it’s good to have them here so we can meet them and they can meet us,” Rendell said.
“There are no guarantees and these are really just the first steps for the club and the players. Hopefully by the end of the visit both parties will have a clearer understanding of where we are all at.”
International players can be rookie-listed in December.
