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No chance of winning the International Rules series, Australia tried to win the fight in an ugly 1.13.5 (50) to 0.7.8 (29) loss to Ireland at Gold Coast on Friday night.
Needing to win by 45 points to claim the series trophy after their opening game capitulation last week, Australia opted to play the aggression card – only to be met by a lot of yellow ones.
At one stage it appeared a game of International Rules had broken out at a scuffle as Australia racked up more yellow cards in the third term (three) than they scored points (one).
In all, a total of six players received the yellow vest on the way to the sin bin – including five in a spiteful third term alone.
Somehow Australian captain Brad Green stayed on the field after being involved in a series of altercations, including one before the game started.
Australia’s physical approach appeared to have early results when they banged in the opening two three-point “overs” via Green and Mitch Robinson.
But from there Robinson and Green turned more heads in the amount of scuffles they were involved in as Ireland kicked into another gear.
Ireland led at the first break by just four points but extended the buffer to 1.8.4 (34) to 0.6.5 (23) by halftime before all hell broke loose in the third.
At one stage an all-in brawl threatened to erupt as Irish players reacted angrily to late shots by Australians that left Joe McMahon in a crumpled heap.
When the dust settled Australia’s Angus Monfries, Mark Nicoski, Robbie Gray were all yellow-carded while Ireland’s Finian Hanley and vice-captain Ciaran McKeever were also given their marching orders.
Ireland’s Michael Murphy had been sin binned late in the second term.
The bully tactics spectacularly backfired for the hosts who managed just six points in the second half.
Indeed when Ben McGlynn potted over an “over” late in the last term, it marked the first three-pointer by Australia in 25 minutes.
The difference in skill level between the teams was summed up by Leighton Glynn’s superb goal for Ireland in the second term.
Glynn cheekily chipped to himself, rounded goalkeeper Matt Suckling and soccered through the only goal of the match.
Ireland avenged their 0-2 series loss last year in spectacular style, winning not only the trophy but also with a 65-point superior aggregate.
For Ireland, Tommy Walsh and Steven McDonnell kicked three overs while Australia’s Zac Smith also kicked three.
Irish coach Anthony Tohill admitted he feared the game could have spiralled out of control in the third term.
“For a while tonight I thought it was going to boil over,” he said.
“I am relieved to get all my players off the pitch with no injuries.
“There was a time when I was concerned with how that game was going – I was glad it settled down.”
Australian coach Rodney Eade played down the heated third term.
“Other than pushing and shoving I don’t think there was much in it,” he said.
“There was no going over the top.
“It was just that we were poor at that first game (and needed to pick up our aggression).”
Eade was largely upbeat about the game two effort.
“I didn’t think the score portayed the difference between the two sides on the night,” he said.
“I thought our effort was terrific.
“It was just the skill level again. We made basic errors and times not following instructions.”
The Jim Stynes Medal for best Australian player of the series went to Geelong’s James Kelly while ex-Sydney veteran Tadhg Kennelly was named best of the Irish after the two game romp over the hosts.
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