The Australians won easily, 105 to 12, with Brad Green booting two six-point unders in the last term and Jack Riewoldt 16 points including a second-quarter under.
However, the result wasn't the most important aspect of the match for the Australians. It was their ability to trial different players in alternative roles.
Coach Mick Malthouse experimented with the mix for the bounce with ruck and rover combinations of Adam Goodes and Jarrad McVeigh, Riewoldt and Bryce Gibbs, Gilbert and Gibbs and Riewoldt and Dane Swan all trialled.
"I think it was just to see what was the best combination for us," McVeigh said after the match played in front of a crowd of around 2500 fans at Cork's Pairc Ui Rinn.
"It helps a lot, when you've got guys who can go back and forward, and with the different types of sizes, it will go a long way to hopefully winning.
"We weren't sure who they were going to play, if it was a tall guy, so we had Goodesy or Gilbert in there, and we have a lot of midfielders who can rotate through forward, back and mid.
"Goodesy in there because he's so mobile and then Jack [Riewoldt] can come up and then go forward ... we've got a few, and with Goodesy's running ability around the ground, it will be a real asset."
In an official match, both teams are restricted to 10 interchanges a quarter, a limit Australia trialled in the fourth term.
Wednesday's game, played in very chilly conditions similar to those the sides will encounter on Saturday in Limerick, gave the Australians the chance to measure their ability with the unfamiliar ball.
"We've been practising with the round ball with no pressure so it was great to have that pressure to see how our skills are," McVeigh said.
"We need a bit of work but we always knew that. We'll just have to keep practising."
Goal keeper Dustin Fletcher made two impressive saves in front of the net before being replaced by understudy James Frawley in the last quarter.
Assistant coach Glen Jakovich said it was important to ensure the young All Australian was ready to fill the role in a match should Fletcher get injured.
Jakovich was also impressed by the forward work of Todd Banfield, Goodes' presence across the ground and the collective effort of the defenders.
Kade Simpson and David Wojcinski also earned praise, but the latter ended the match with a rolled ankle after a blistering first half.
Travis Varcoe (shoulder soreness) and Tyson Goldsack (cut head) were also in the wars but all injuries were considered minor by Malthouse.
Meanwhile, Ireland has named its squad to face Australia in the two-Test series with Swan Tadhg Kennelly in the side, along with Colm Begley, Martin Clarke, Tommy Walsh and former Swans rookie Brendan Murphy, who have all had AFL experience.
Get behind the 2010 International Rules Series with Jennifer Witham’s complete coverage from Limerick and Dublin. Join the conversation on Twitter: use #IR2010 in your tweets.
