FORMER Melbourne club champion Aaron Davey expects the tour of Ireland with the Indigenous Australian rules team in October to be "a special event".

 

He has started preparing for the series in a low-key manner, doing what he describes as the odd light trot, and kicking the ball around.

 

Davey retired at the end of the 2013 season after 178 games with Melbourne.

 

He has played international rules in 2005 and 2006 and thinks the tour of Ireland will be an excellent way to bring a curtain down on his career.

 

"I think it is going to be special for everyone. For the AFL it is going to be a great thing. Some people question why it is indigenous but this is where the game is sort of going," Davey told AFL.com.au. "It's expanding and [the series] will be two great cultures going at it."

 

Davey has played with the Indigenous All-Stars but says it will be bit more special going with a group of indigenous players to Ireland.

 

"[It will be] a big eye-opener for all the boys that have not being there but at the same time an experience they will never forget," Davey said.

 

After the tour and short holiday with family, Davey is planning to return to the Northern Territory to play football with the Palmerston Magpies.

 

Former Essendon player Dean Rioli will be coaching Palmerston and Davey expects to rekindle his love for the game playing for his old club.

 

"I've been fortunate enough to play AFL, but being in the game for so long – and this is just a personal take – you tend to lose the love of it because of politics in footy and the money that comes with it and the scrutiny," Davey said. "I was fortunate enough to see one of my best mates in an amateur Grand Final a couple of weeks ago and these guys just went out and played for the love of it and enjoyed the game itself."

 

He said the fire still burns to achieve one more thing in his football career.

 

"Who knows? If I was to play in a NTFL premiership with the Palmerston Magpies, that would be up there with my AFL career because it's close to my heart and it is my family club," Davey said.