International Rules: Seán Martin Lockhart has acquired his experience the hard way. By the end of the tour only Ciarán McManus will have played more Tests than the Derry defender, writes Seán Moran in Perth

He missed last year's series in Dublin because of injury but otherwise has been an ever present since he started playing for Ireland.

He is one of the best man markers in football and has been able to bring those powers of concentration to bear at international level where the need never to be caught in possession when working the ball clear is so imperative.

Lockhart has seen the small evolutions in the game, from the developing media profile to the deepening commitment of the Australians. This year Ireland manager John O'Keeffe is trying to win by sacrificing physique for technique.

"It's hard, physical and it's tough. We have an advantage over the Aussies. They're a big strong team and they'll try and intimidate us whereas we're better players. If we can play good football against these guys we can beat them.

"John's gone for a smaller type of player this time, five-10, five-11. A big asset we have this year, which we didn't have in abundance in years gone by, is speed. You have eight or nine players this year that are lightning fast and that will make a big difference."

This strikes some people as a major gamble, given that the Australians make no secret of their intention to try to dominate the match physically.

"It proved last night that when you set out to do a man - like Declan Browne was done last night - you'll do him. I'd say the Aussies will try and intimidate us in the first 15 minutes. At the end of the day how much intimidation can you do? We've been there before.

"It's no different to a real hard Ulster championship game against the likes of Tyrone or Armagh. They try to portray the tackle as a massive thing, how they're going to hit these wee small Paddies. You gain more respect if you stand up to them, not stand and fight - just stand up for yourself."

During Tuesday's practice, Ireland surprised their opponents by meeting fire with fire. When Australia started to "shepherd" Irish players - i.e. third man fouling - Ireland responded in kind, flummoxing the hosts who believed that such illicit activity would be exclusive to their repertoire.

In a sense, International Rules has always been about the greater physical prowess of Australia facing the higher levels of skill possessed by the Irish.

Lockhart remembers his first away Test, before 64,000 at the MCG four years ago.

"Our first tour in '99 there was this guy calling us names around the time of the Geraghty thing (Meath's Graham Geraghty was suspended for racial abuse in the warm-up match). One particular individual was saying: 'Irish Paddies, you're only amateurs' and stuff like this.

"After the game we were swapping jerseys and I turned around to him and said: 'The difference between me and you is that you play for money and I play for pride' and I walked away.

"It makes a big difference. I'm not saying we're any prouder as a nation but it means more to us because we've been brought from an amateur level right up to the professional level and the GAA have invested a lot of money and guys want to pay that back."

As well as giving players the opportunity to represent their country, the International Rules trips afford a glimpse of the lifestyle of full-time professionals. The ability to rest and have every aspect of preparation taken care of is in stark contrast to the sacrifices made at home.

Whereas players ritually disown any interest in Gaelic games turning professional, there are hardly any elite footballers - or hurlers - who wouldn't be glad to have a go at a full-time sports career. Lockhart is no exception.

"I'd be very interested if there was a wage packet on a Friday night. It's something you enjoy, training every day whereas back home you have to get through maybe a nine-hour shift before you get out to training. Over here the whole focus is on football.

"You rest well, you eat well, you drink well. Physios are at hand, doctors are at hand and masseurs are at hand. I would love to do this all my life as a career but we'll never see it in the GAA code."