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Another flogging is on the cards for the Australian International Rules team, according to Angus Monfries – on the training track, that is.
The Essendon star reckons that is the only way they can bounce back from their shock 44-point Test loss to the Irish in their opening clash in Melbourne last Friday evening.
Monfries on Tuesday sounded like a man still wondering what hit him after the amateur Ireland outfit surprisingly outmuscled the professional hosts to spark a record defeat.
But it sounded like it may pale in significance to what Australian coach Rodney Eade had in store for his troops in the lead-up to their re-match on Friday night.
“We didn’t play to our strengths,” Monfries said.
“That was something we probably lacked last Friday – a bit of intensity.
“We’ve got a few drills today where we’ll be working on that, our pressure and our corralling skills.
“We pride ourselves on being tough and winning those sort of things.
“Our game is (physical) week-to-week and they’re not used to it, and they beat us in that area.
“To get beaten there was disappointing.”
Still, Monfries begrudgingly admired the mostly-amateur Irish outfit bolstered only by the likes of AFL-experienced Tommy Walsh, Pearce Hanley, Tadhg Kennelly, Zach Tuohy and Colm Begley.
“The thing you notice is just how good they are with their skills,” he said.
“It’s pretty difficult. There’s a spot you’ve got to hit (on the ball) and if you don’t hit that spot, then it goes left or right by a long way.
“The boys are homing in on that now and they’re looking forward to improving it.
“But they can hit a 40-metre pass and we struggle to hit a 10-metre pass.
“The speed of the game as well – there were no stoppages. It was non-stop, up and back running – it’s something we have to adapt to.
“As you probably saw last Friday night, we’re a bit scratchy with the round ball but, session by session, everyone is improving and looking forward to putting in a better performance this Friday night.”
Australia may have their backs up against the wall to pull off a series win after last week’s shellacking, adding to concerns about the concept’s relevancy.
But Monfries said Australia had not lost their focus ahead of the Gold Coast re-match.
“We’re not here for a holiday,” he said.
“It’s pretty rare in our game to pull on the Australian guernsey and we’re here to win.”
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