BEN COUSINS could play for St Kilda for five years, and the Saints could win their long overdue second premiership next year, says recently retired legend Robert Harvey.

Harvey said St Kilda was replete with exciting young talent. "If a few in the middle take that next step up, and the young guys come on, next year is a possibility," he said.

"They finished fourth this year. They're a huge chance in the next two to three years."

Harvey said St Kilda was on track this year until late injuries, most crucially to Luke Ball. But he said the club was ideally set up now to handle this perennial handicap.

"They've got their processes right now," he said.

"(Fitness adviser) Dave Misson has been fantastic. I reckon they're as close now as they've ever been."

St Kilda is interested in Cousins, a Brownlow medallist and rehabilitating drug addict who is awaiting AFL approval to play again. He is 30 and has scarcely played for two years, but Harvey said that was immaterial.

Cousins, Shane Crawford and Greg Williams were his toughest opponents because they were like him, able to endure.

Williams lasted to 34, Crawford is still going at 34 and Harvey retired at 37.

"I was a similar player to Cousins, the way he runs," he said. "I think that sort of player, even though you get a bit slower, can work just as hard as the other midfielders. I reckon he can play for another five years. But I don't know where his head's at. I don't know whether he's still a risk or not. It's a big if. But I reckon he'd be sensational."

Harvey said St Kilda needed a premiership now, for its self-esteem and to reward ever-faithful fans.

"Having known so many of them over 21 years, they soldier on regardless," he said.

"There comes a time when they need a reward. That's what St Kilda needs: reward for effort."

Harvey recently signed as assistant coach of Carlton.

■Australian coach Mick Malthouse says Ireland's band of amateurs are just as professional and better prepared than his AFL stars for the international rules series.

Malthouse bristled at suggestions Australia's highly paid athletes should be able to dominate their amateur counterparts.

He also believes Ireland's longer preparation for the series, which kicks off at Subiaco Oval tonight, will give the visitors an edge.

"The word amateur to me is very much a throwaway line because I don't see Sean (Ireland captain Sean Cavanagh) any less professional in his assault to be the best player … than Brent (Harvey), and I know how hard this guy works," he said.

Ireland coach Sean Boylan said his team's amateur status was little more than a title. "If Ireland wins the series, we are not going to go around tapping ourselves on the back saying, 'We beat a professional outfit', it's not like that at all," he said.

AUSTRALIAN SQUAD: Goalkeeper: N Bock (Adel); Backs: M Firrito (NM), B Sewell (Haw), C Brown (Haw); Half-backs: R Crowley (Frem), D Petrie (NM), A Selwood (WC); Midfield: B Harvey (NM), S Thompson (Adel); Half-forwards: S Pendlebury (Coll), D Motlop (PA), D Rodan (PA); Forwards: M Osborne (Haw), S Burgoyne (PA), M Campbell (NM). Interchange (nine of 10 to play): M Boyd (WB), J Brennan (BL), R Hayden (Frem), L Montagna (StK), M Murphy (Carl), M Rooke (Geel), K Simpson (Carl), D Thomas (Coll), D Wells (NM).With AAP