Styne give Aussies inside track
Speaking at a media briefing in advance of this evening's first test here, he said that Stynes the former Dublin minor who established a reputation as one of the giants of Australian Rules football exerted a major influence.
"Jimmy understands the game and the mindset patterns of the Irish boys better than I do and he knows their players intimately. He's part of a really good (management) team. We've all got a pretty good handle on it but Jimmy is pivotal," he commented.
Aussie skipper Shane Crawford, who reputedly earns over €500,000 a year, said Stynes had been particularly helpful in coaching Barry Hall, one of the leading home players.
"Barry Hall is a real sharpshooter in our game, but early on he struggled with the round ball. He didn't really know how to go about it. But, with Jimmy Stynes guiding the way, he has made a lot of progress."
Crawford highlighted the commitment of his side by pointing out that one player had joined the squad on Monday, two days after his wedding.
"The guys are pumped up and ready to go. I think it's one of the most focused sides I have been part of.
"The good thing about this side is that all the guys put their hands up and said, 'we really want to play'. They not only want to be here but want to be part of a winning side.
"It's just a great experience to represent your country. We play against each other all year and we dislike each other. But we come together for the few weeks, get out there and train really hard and bond really close."
Manager John O'Keefe suggested that in some respects the hybrid game was more attractive to watch than Gaelic football. Specifically, he favours the continuity factor in the game.
"I feel we have a problem in our own game at home the tackle situation, in that it's not clearly defined. In this game you get rid of the ball quickly or else you are tackled and you lose it. I think it has a lot to offer."
Once again, the Irish manager was critical of the tackle that ruled Declan Browne out of the game and also places a huge question mark over his involvement in the second test.
"I checked it out afterwards, it's definitely illegal in this game. This third-man tackle that you have in the Australian game is quite okay within five yards of the ball.
"I felt on this occasion the ball had actually gone and play was over when the incident happened. But, in fairness to the player in question, he was very apologetic straight away.
"Declan Browne was a player I was hoping to see out here. He is such a talented player. It's probably unlikely now we will have him for the second test."
Admitting that he is expecting a strong physical challenge from the Australians this evening, he recognised that they genuinely attempted to play 'within the rules'.
"We appreciate that the tackle is a part of this game. We have to take it and we have to give it when we get an opportunity and to get on with it. There's a very good rule, that the third man 'in' is a red card situation. When you have two tackling, let them sort it out. We don't want any of these melees, people piling in."
Gary Lyon, who pointed out that they had also lost a player in their warm-up game (against the same opposition), made it clear that after six days of practice he was fairly optimistic of a good return from his team.
"We have done a lot of work, but when you have a couple of sessions a day you can't demand too much.
Like John O'Keefe, he is very supportive of the international dimension the game offers, saying that it continues to 'grow in prominence' in Australia.
"The reaction of the Perth people is quite outstanding. From our point of view we could not be more excited. It sold out virtually overnight and the buzz around the town is great. We would not want to be anywhere else playing this game."
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