Brisbane Lions veteran Ash McGrath looks set to assume the critical goal-keeping role for Australia in Saturday’s first International Rules test against Ireland.

McGrath is part of the Indigenous Australian Rules side that headed to the Emerald Isle earlier this week ahead of the two test series.

The 30-year-old premiership player impressed the Australian coaching staff – particularly Assistant Coach Tadhg Kennelly – with his work in front of goals during a practice match on Wednesday.

"He made some really good saves and his kicking is very good," Kennelly told AAP.

"Ash is a deep defender, he's kicked out an awful lot in the AFL, so it's not a foreign position to him.

"The only foreign thing to him is obviously stopping and goal keeping."

The first test will be held in Cavan this Saturday night (which is Sunday morning Australian time), with a second test scheduled at Dublin’s Croke Park the following Saturday 26 October.