Australia admit they were “shocked” by Ireland in Friday night’s record International Rules loss. The Irish team humbled Australia in the first of two clashes, winning 4.17.5 (80) to 1.8.6 (36).
The visitors mastered the round ball effortlessly and kicked effectively as the Australians struggled to find a way into the match.
Despite the scoreline, which eclipsed the previous record loss of 36 points in 2004, Australia’s James Frawley believes the home side can turn around the series with a win in the final game on the Gold Coast next Friday.
“Every game we go out to win and it’s 44 points (to retrieve next week) but we’ll go out and give it our all and try and score pretty quickly,” Frawley said.
“We’ve just got to get on the park and keep practising kicking that ball.
“I was a bit shocked. I suppose the pressure from our boys probably wasn’t there last night and that’s why they played so well.
“When they’re under pressure, that’s when they turn it over but we didn’t have them under enough pressure for most of the night.”
Australian coach Rodney Eade said his team had been too “nice” and not physical enough after brawling almost ended the series several years ago.
“We’ve got to get a bit more physical – they were more physical than us last night so we’ve got to step up a bit,” Frawley said.
“It seemed we were second-guessing ourselves but everyone was out there trying to win.
“Next week we have to get out there and show our aggression at the ball and at the opponents so hopefully next week we can turn it around for the boys.”
Richmond’s Jake King suffered a jarred knee and is in doubt for the next game while Hawthorn’s Liam Shiels had a corked thigh.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Was that aimed at me or Midfielder below?
super G
Guest
True. Time for some new material midfielder.
karlos
Guest
I have supported Ireland in the International Rules games since 2008 for well known reasons. So Australias (supposed) greatest athletes cant keep up with a bunch of amateurs who left several preferred players back home due to the economic climate.
stabpass
Guest
How many times have you posted this now on International rules articles ?, bit lame really. Huge difference between IR and soccer.
Midfielder
Guest
Look it just needs a couple of more changes ... you have eleven players per side, a goal keeper, a round ball, no tackling, a rectangular field, have proper posts with nets .... getting close ... just a couple more changes and you will have the perfect game...
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Super G - everyone understand you can punch it in, even the clueless Australians understand it - that's precisely why they positioned Zac Smith up forward (and we've scored unders in this manner in the past), but there were two problems: 1. Australian delivery was pathetic; and 2. Zac Smith was useless.
ManInBlack
Guest
agreed - the round ball kills the variety of the game. In effect, I feel, it limits the potential range by 1/3. That is, that there's a short kick (20 metres) and a medium (40m) to defend, but, stuff all chance of a 60m damaging kick. also, for international - my best moments this year re footy were Sweden narrowly beating Japan at Royal Park and the US Revolution standing up to the NZ Falcons Haka. I think most the Herald Sun AFL journo's missed out on those. Their loss.
super G
Guest
As a football fan, the world game that is, I don't mind watching this hybrid game. I just wish players would take more risks and go for the goal as opposed to the overs. You can even punch the ball into the net for heaven's sake so have a go !
Football Tragic
Roar Rookie
The first mistake was with selection. While you can only pick who's available, the clear theme this year was to go with smaller, quicker players to out run the Irish which is usually their strength. The flaw with that logic became obvious on Friday night when the Irish effectively outmuscled, out bodied and then out scored us with their superior ball skills. We will never be able to hope to match them with round ball skills but we need to ensure that we maintain our physical dominance with size and strength. We can then hope, that through sheer numbers and superior opportunities, that we can beat them. The Australian's ball use will improve but I just can't see how we can turn around the result next week with the same squad we currently have. Strategically, the coaches need to have a good hard look at themselves....
Republican
Guest
The roond ball is a scourge and detracts form the spectacle as far as i am concerned. I believe we should be getting the irish to compromise in favor of the Sherrin for a change but in all honesty, I have watched one match of this hybrid debacle and don't plan to give it as much as a cursory glance anytime soon, despite a cultural call to do so.
stabpass
Guest
Had enough of the ball, but couldn't kick it properly, as many people have said, if you are going to commit to Interenational rules, and i think it it is a very entertaining game, then do ti properly, and get some semblance of a decent team out there. And for all those people who call for actual soccer goalkeepers to be used, well IMO it would not work, in International Rules, goalkeepers are used as a extra player and really come off their line to be linked up, and they tackle !.