Australia 56 Ireland 46
The decision to pack the travelling Ireland squad with lighter, speedier players backfired on manager John O'Keeffe today as his side suffered a 10 point defeat to a tactically astute and physically imposing Australian side in the opening test of the International Rules series in Perth.
Days of laboured Australian moves and time wasted adjusting to the pattern of play seem long gone as the impressive hosts outthought, outwitted and outplayed an Irish side devoid of imagination and penetration.
While the prospect of overturning the 10 point deficit is not farfetched, O'Keeffe and his backroom staff will tonight return to the drawing board as their game plan to outrun and outpass their opponents failed to materialise. Much restructuring is needed ahead of Friday's deciding Test in Melbourne.
Tuned in to every Irish trick, Australia eased themselves effortlessly into the game - despite trailing 25-11 after the first quarter - and forged an impenetrable force-field in midfield which Ireland could only encroach sparingly in the final two quarters.
Showing a marked improvement in both handling and kicking ability, the Australians stood tall in the opening exchanges, using the round ball to good effect in both attack and defence. Ireland, though, also start brightly with Armagh forward Steven McDonnell hitting an over (3 points) after just two minutes.
Steering clear of the physical exchanges, Ireland were content to sit back and allow the Australians run while mopping up play and hitting their opponents on the counter. It was then apt that Ireland's opening goal resulted from such a waiting tactic.
With Australia losing possession in the Irish half, the ball was worked to Down livewire Benny Coulter who galloped unchallenged through the Australian defence. He fired from 10 yards and watched as his effort found the back of the net (6 points) via a deflection from the boot of goalkeeper Glen Jakovich.
Spurred on by that six point boost, Ireland remained competitive with captain Graham Canty and Anthony Lynch holding a tight shop at the back and McDonnell proving prolific up front with a first quarter haul of 12 points.
Cormac McAnallen found life tough against Australian full forward Barry Hall but despite the 6 ft 4ft Sydney man's tremendous fielding ability, the anticipated threat rarely materialised and Ireland held a 25-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.
For all the positive work of the first period, O'Keeffe was left enraged with the ensuing lack-lustre showing in the second quarter. The decision to rest McDonnell proved costly as Australia narrowed the deficit with Hall, Nathan Brown and Clint Bizzell all hitting 'overs'.
Australia dominated the midfield and policed all passages of play. The Irish threat quickly withered as O'Keeffe's men struggled to work the ball from half-back to half-forward, and Australia closed within five points at half-time (27-32).
Ireland's difficulty in extending their lead was compounded soon after the restart when Laois' Joe Higgins saw a goal opportunity batted away by Jakovich. The save lifted the Australian supporters in the 41,000 crowd and their urgings in turn boosted the home side.
A superb passing movement midway through the quarter between Brad and Chris Johnson led to Australia's first goal. Played into space, Brad neatly tucked the ball under the onrushing 'keeper Enda Murphy before seeing McAnallen deflect his scuffed shot to the back of the net. The score pulled Australia to within two points and they took just another two minutes to turn the game on its head.
Chris Johnson, a thorn in the Irish defence throughout, blasted the ball home from the penalty spot having been brought down in the area by Murphy. The 'keeper left a trailing leg as the Brisbane man jigged his way through the last line of defence.
Australia, on the back of a 47-41 end of quarter lead, kicked on in the final quarter, leaving their tiring rivals down and out. Despite Canty and Lynch standing tall for Ireland, their exhausted team-mates further down field lacked conviction and time and again found themselves second to the ball, allowing Garry Lyon's men plough forward.
A moment of hesitancy in the Irish defence killed off the contest 10 minutes from time. While McAnallen disputed a call with referee Brian White, Australia played a quick free in behind the cover and Brent Harvey - superb throughout - laid off to unmarked captain Shane Crawford to tap home a crucial six pointer from close range.
With just the attacking prowess of McDonnell, the energy and enthusiasm of Coulter and the courage of defenders Canty, Lynch and Paddy Christie to take from an otherwise disappointing Irish display, O'Keefee and his management team have much to ponder ahead of next week's decider.