Ireland have “got on top” of Australia physically in international rules and will welcome the new challenge posed by an indigenous side, Pearce Hanley says.

Ireland’s form Brisbane Lions midfielder has warmed to AFL chief Andrew Demetriou’s suggestion an indigenous team could travel to the Emerald Isle this year in a bid to breathe new life into the hybrid game.

Australian teams have been criticised in the past for their aggressive tactics in the series.

However, Hanley believes Ireland no longer have anything to fear from Australian teams.

“I reckon we got on top in the physical stakes last time,” he said.

“The Irish boys are getting a bit tougher.”

Australia will go to Ireland in October for a two-Test series.

Demetriou suggested an indigenous squad could contest it as a “one-off” after an All-Stars team beat Richmond in Alice Springs in the AFL pre-season.

“It’s a fair idea. The indigenous boys are very quick and skilful so I think that would make for a very good game,” Hanley said.

“And they (Irish crowds) would love it.”

The hybrid Tests against Ireland – a mix of AFL and Gaelic football rules – have been criticised for attracting poor crowds in Australia and a lack of AFL stars making themselves available.

“It wouldn’t be as big as (State of) Origin but it is still pretty big – the Irish love it,” Hanley said of the series’ popularity in Ireland.

“The Irish turn out for it. Hopefully the same happens again this year.”

This year’s international series will be a tribute to AFL great and Irish native Jim Stynes, who died in March last year of cancer.