Aussies learned from Ulster strategies: Stynes

AN analysis of Ulster footballing defensive strategies was a key element in the tactics employed by the Australians in the International Rules Series opener in Perth.

Team advisor Jim Stynes said they also learned invaluable lessons in last year's defeat in the way Ireland ran the ball, the manner in which they controlled the space down the middle of the field and the impressive way they linked up.

The priority was to inject speed into their team and after that to get them to play in a certain way. His brother Brian, who is now living in Melbourne, was brought in to help in the planning and preparations. "He was really good at that because he understood that concept of playing. We learned it from watching Tyrone play in the All-Ireland and watching the teams up north in particular playing that defensive style of game.

"We knew then we had the runners to be able to do that. But, we weren't so sure how skilful they were going to be under pressure.''

Both brothers have considerable experience of the international game, Jim playing both for Australia and Ireland and Brian lining out with the Irish in three series. Jim agrees that last weekend's display was the best ever seen from an Australian team in terms of how expertly they kicked the ball and, in effect, how they bettered the GAA players at their own game.

"Without a doubt, we never kicked like that before,'' he said. "In the second quarter, I remember turning to Kevin (Sheedy, the Australian manager) on the line and saying: 'Our boys look like they played all their lives.' It was the way they were scoring. We were taking shots from places where we said we wouldn't shoot. But that time, they were so confident that they were prepared to have a go."

Interestingly, however, he pointed out that the Australian players weren't under a lot of pressure when they were scoring indicating how the Irish team was struggling to come to terms with the challenge. Stynes feels it will be a different story this week, with Australia put under pressure and unable to score as freely.

Conversely, he expects that the Irish team will improve in their finishing. "They missed scores that they don't normally miss. It was all because it was applied pressure, where players kicked quickly, even in situations where they often had a bit more time on the ball.

"It's a mind thing. If you go in hard and you're running people down, all of a sudden everyone gets a bit nervous. And that was what we were able to do.'' Stynes also agrees that having the freedom to pick from the best suited players, as opposed to being compelled to give first option to the All-Australian (Allstar) team, made a huge difference. Ironically they were forced to go with many young players because some more established targets weren't available.

"It was a case of either going with seasoned players who mightn't have as much speed but were a bit smarter, or with younger guys. We just decided: 'Let's go with the young guys.' We did that and we went for guys who were speedy.

"A lot of them are guys who wouldn't get these sort of opportunities normally,'' he added.

"This gave them a great opportunity to show people they are on the scene. It helps them when they go back to their clubs and when they front up next season. They will feel a bit more confident. And they'll probably get a bit more respect from their opponents.''