Aussie coach plans ahead

NEW Australian coach Kevin Sheedy believes he is building a side that will beat Ireland in Croke Park next year.

Nevertheless, he is hopeful of achieving success in the two-test series which begins in Perth tonight (11.45am Irish time), with what he described yesterday as a "speed machine."

Sheedy, who claims Irish heritage while being a bit vague about the specifics, wants to build "a block of players who can play great footy" in the return series in twelve months.

The first important step will be tonight's match; for that he has concentrated on bringing "some real challenging speed" into their play. "Then we'll find out more about where we are going for what we want to be a great series in Ireland next year,'' he said.

"I think we're heading in the right direction and this year will be first opportunity to look at a different Australian side.

"Coach McGrath changed his style last year and made it very difficult for the Australian boys to catch back. I have picked a very fleet-footed side, with very good skill. We had to re-adjust our style, and let go of the All-Australian selection. We can (now) can pick the team we want and it's a better team to go.''

McGrath made it clear that he knows little about the opposition, referring to the type of team "allegedly" picked by Sheedy. He denied that they "spied" on the Australians training to which Sheedy amusingly responded: "Are you 'sure to be sure' about that? I saw a little head up there in the grandstand!''

"They obviously looked long and hard at what happened last year in Ireland,'' said McGrath. "When you get a defeat as it was, you have to revaluate the situation. This is what they have come up with.

"I know what we are good at and I'm sure Kevin knows as well. We will try and go out and impose our game, our style, on the proceedings and obviously at the end of the first game I will know a lot more about the Australian play.

"If that's enough to get us through, fine, and if it isn't, then we'll say at least we tried to play it our way."

McGrath agreed that going out and changing "your own principles and your own beliefs" as to how the game should be played would only put Ireland on the back foot.

Sheedy agreed that losing overall by 50 points in Dublin last year had been "embarrassing" and he feels bringing in some indigenous Aboriginal players should be "a big asset."

While some of the players won't have the necessary ability to move the ball quicker than they do in Aussie Rules football, he has been encouraged by their attitude.

He also takes encouragement from the experience gained by players who have come through the junior series: "We'll carry the ball, which we certainly didn't do in Ireland the last year. We just bombed it away.''

The appointment of somebody as experienced and accomplished as Sheedy was "a very serious statement of intent on the part of the AFL", McGrath said.

"They realised that they reached maybe a fork on the road that they could either go one way let it slip and accept defeat or they could redress the balance, get their house in order and make a start. That is what they did by appointing him.''

He expressed the view that advanced fitness levels among GAA players had served to narrow the gap between them and the professional Australian players. Eight or nine years ago the perception was that Aussie Rules players were significantly fitter, but now the levels of fitness in Ireland were higher than they had ever been.

"The frontiers in relation to sports science generally have been pushed back and all the latest findings are being put into practice by county managers and by trainers and coaches.

"We learned from Aussie Rules players how fit and strong and athletic they were and that their strength did not inhibit in any way their mobility or their speed. We're not there yet, but we are getting there,'' said McGrath.

McGrath added he would be preparing his players for "a very severe" physical challenge, commenting: "This is a physical game and they (Australia) are much better at the tackle than we are.

"We expect to be tackled, to be hit fairly within the confines of the rules. But, in that environment, good players will still be able to play good football and play to their strengths. That's the test of a truly good player and a truly good team."

Accompanied by Jim and Brian Stynes, Sheedy said he waited up late to watch the All-Ireland final, describing it as "terrific" and proving helpful from the point of view of learning as much as they could about the players in the Irish team.

Interestingly, he admits to having particular respect for Mayo star Ciaran McDonald referring to him as that "blonde-headed machine."

"He looks a class athlete, he'd play any sport. I know he has changed his haircut, but he seems be much more mature in his play than what I have of him on tape over the past few years. I was certainly impressed by him in training last night."