Sherman's IR dismay

Young Brisbane Lion and Australian representative Justin Sherman is disappointed that next year's International Rules series on home soil has been suspended. Sherman described the recent two-match series played in Ireland won on points by Australia as one of the best experiences of his life and hopes the situation can be resolved to ensure the series has a future. "A lot of the guys that I have been talking to are really upset with the decision," Sherman told Sportal when asked his reaction to last week's announcement by the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). "We wanted the history of International Rules to keep going because it is so special to represent your country and you don't get that sort of opportunity every day." Sherman denied suggestions that the Aussie team should feel responsible for the decision. "It is disappointing and we understand the reasons behind it and we have to take that into consideration," he said. "I don't believe we were physical in the first game we just wanted to put a bit of body pressure on them and our game plan was to play one-on-one footy. "One of the reasons for our success was our will not to give up and we did not want to be embarrassed like we were after the first game." One of the main talking points of the series was Port Adelaide and NAB Rising Star winner Danyle Pearce's tackle on Irish player Graham Geraghty in the second test, but Sherman believes the incident was unfortunate. "When you have got someone tackling like Danyle Pearce who is only 70 kilos, it was just a fair tackle," he explained. "He just locked his arms and could not go anywhere and it was just a shame his (Geraghty's) head hit the ground and had to go to hospital. "Incidents like that were blown out of proportion because it was a game between two nations that are pretty passionate, and for things like that to cause the series to be called off is disappointing." Sherman is hoping the AFL and GAA can get together and resolve the issues even if it means modifying the contentious tackling aspect of the hybrid game. "I am sure it will be back in a few years because all the guys are right behind it and we are just looking forward to that opportunity again." The experience of winning the second test in front of a packed house at Croke Park will remain in Sherman's memory forever. "It was probably the best if not the best experience of my life," said the 19-year-old. "To be in a hostile environment away from home, but to have a large support base from London it was really terrific to see all the yellow shirts amongst the 84,000. "To share those moments down the track with some of the guys will be fantastic and I am just happy to have been a part of it under such a great coach like Kevin Sheedy and play with great players like Vossy. It was just awesome." One of the highlights for the former Tasmanian recruit was not only playing alongside his former skipper (Voss) in his final competitive match, but to watch and learn from new team mates like Swans forward Ryan O'Keefe who created a huge impression . "For someone who did little after the grand final he is just a super, super worker," said Sherman of the 2005 premiership forward. "He just trains like he plays, is a great competitor and I used him as a role model being one of the younger guys on the tour. "To play with Vossy was very special because he is such a great friend and for him to go out with a win was tremendous because he really deserved it. "He knew that was the last game of his whole career, so he put everything into it … and his hardness at the ball was one of the turning points."