West Coast midfielder Adam Selwood has urged the AFL not to go overboard in handing out suspensions when the international rules series between Australia and Ireland resumes in October.

The hybrid game was brought to a halt in 2006 following a spiteful series that resulted in a number of players suffering injuries in violent on-field clashes.

Ireland coach Sean Boylan almost called off the second Test at quarter-time due to Australia's roughhouse tactics.

To prevent further on-field violence, the AFL has promised that any suspensions incurred in the international rules series would be served in the following year's home-and-away season.

But Selwood, who was sent off in that second Test of 2006 after breaking an opponent's nose with a solid hip-and-shoulder bump, said the AFL had to be careful not to go overboard in suspending players just to send a message to their Irish counterparts.

''I wouldn't want to be suspended for something ... just to protect the international rules, I'd like to have a fair hearing if something happened,'' Selwood said. ''I'd like to think the hit I did last time was within the rules of AFL and I didn't feel as if I did too much wrong.

''At the time it may have deserved a yellow card but I don't think hip and shoulders, if they're deemed within AFL rules, should become a suspension.''

Selwood said the difference between AFL and Gaelic football made it hard in some instances to find a middle ground in terms of the physicality allowed, especially in regards to the hip and shoulder an act ingrained in AFL football.

Collingwood coach Mick Malthouse has been appointed coach for this year's two-Test series. The first Test will be played at Subiaco Oval on October 24 and the second Test at the MCG on October 31. AAP