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 International
Rules 2003
AUSTRALIA CLAIM FIRST TEST
IN INTERNATIONAL RULES 24/10/03
By: Tracey Tilsed, Australia - ttilsed@tpg.com.au
By: Tracey Tilsed
Sean
Marty Lockhart and Craig Johnson get to know each other
Photo
Taken from Hogan Stand
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Australia
came from behind to win the first test match against Ireland at Subiaco Oval by
10 points, in front of a capacity crowd.
As the teams ran on to the ground,
the noise was deafening, particularly when the Australian team filed onto the
arena. The crowd showed their patriotism when they joined in to sing Advanced
Australia Fair.
When Ireland won the coin toss and elected to kick with
the wind to the city end, the decision looked to be a wise choice when Steven
McDonnell kick a three pointer in the opening minutes.
The first goal
for the match came from the boot of Ireland's Brendan Coulter after he was awarded
a penalty. Coulter was streaming into the goals when he was pushed from behind
by Barry Hall.
Although the Irish forwards presented themselves continually
during the first quarter, the Australians tackled furiously in the first quarter,
thwarting a number of Irish attacks. Australia were out-paced by the Irish for
the majority of the 20 minute term, and trailed by 14 points when the quarter-time
siren sounded.
The start of the second quarter saw the Irish continue
where they left off, charging into attack at the first opportunity. Australia
repelled the attacks and eventually got the first score for the second term, when
Barry Hall scored a three pointer.
Australia continued to pepper the
goals sending Ireland into defensive mode, and pressured Ireland everytime they
gained possession.
Geelong's Matthew Scarlett was involved in an incident
with Irish superstar Des Dolan while making his way to the interchange bench.
Dolan was blocking Scarlett's path off the ground, both players started wrestling
and a few of punches were thrown, leaving Dolan eventually laying flat on the
ground.
Matthew
Pavlich is spoiled by Steven McDonnell
Photo Taken from Official
Website Australian Football League
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Dolan
left the ground and although clearly shaken, was cleared of any serious injury.
Moments later, former Adelaide Crows captain, Mark Bickley was on the
receiving end of a yellow card and sent to the sin-bin for 15 minutes, after he
collected Tom Kelly from behind.
Australia out-scored the Irish boys
by 9 points for the quarter, and headed into the half-time break trailing by five
points.
Although Ireland got the first score on the board for the third
quarter, it turned out to be 10 minutes of missed opportunities for the visiting
team. Continually on the attack, the Irish boys were unable to take advantage
of their brilliant start, scoring points from positions that they would normally
produce three pointers from.
The easy misses proved costly for the Irish
as Australia turned their game around and lifted the tempo.
The crowd
jumped to their feet when the Aussies scored their first goal for the match. Western
Bulldogs player Brad Johnson soccered the ball towards the goal, the ball deflected
off Ireland's McAnallen and into the back of the net.
Seconds later,
Barry Hall took a strong mark to kick his fourth three pointer for the night,
taking Australia into the lead by one point.
Australia's dominated the
game for the next 7 minutes, forcing Ireland into defence mode. Vice captain and
Brisbane Lions champion Chris Johnson looked set to add a second goal to his teams
tally when he was felled in the goal square. He was awarded a penalty kick, which
never looked likely to miss.
Australia took a six point lead into the
three-quarter time break, leaving the Irish team frustrated.
Jakovich
continued to repel the Irish scoring attempts, and after captain Shane Crawford
put the third goal on the board for the Australian team, the match appeared all
over.
Chris Johnson found himself on the receiving end of a yellow card,
and 15 minutes in the sin-bin, when he wrestled with Ireland's Cormac McAnallen.
McAnallen was also sin-binned.
In the end, the home team out muscled
Ireland, and their ferocious tackling and fast running style of play, proved too
much for the Irish.
Barry Hall was a match winner for Australia, booting
four three pointers, whilst fullback Glen Jakovich played an important role in
the victory, blocking several scoring attempts.
For the Irish, there
was none better than Steven McDonnell from Armagh, who scored four three pointers
early in the match.
Australia will be brimming with confidence heading
to the second test in Melbourne, and will now rate themselves a big chance of
winning their first test series on home soil.
Final Score:
Australia
3 goals, 10 overs (3 pts), 8 points 56
Ireland 1 goal, 10 overs, 10 points 46
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