LUCKY BREAK FOR SELWOOD
IRELAND coach Joe Kernan says Fremantle star Nat Fyfe should have been sent off for a dangerous forearm in Australia’s 53-50 International Rules win in Perth.
Kernan was critical of the quality of umpiring on display during the series.
The coach believed his star player, Michael Murphy, had been unfairly targeted by Australia without receiving any protection from the umpires.
He said Fyfe’s forearm to the chest/neck of Ireland’s Aidan O’Shea should have been black-carded on Saturday night.
A black card rubs a player out for the rest of the match, but he is able to be replaced on the field.
“It was a dangerous tackle — a forearm charge,” an angry Kernan said.
“I don’t know what the ruling for it is, but in our country it’s a sending off.
“If someone charges and hits you under your chin with a forearm, that’s a dangerous tackle — that’s a sending off. A black card.
“If something is a foul, it’s a foul. And it’s up to the officials to deal with it.
“I question some of their decisions.”
Australia won the series 2-0 after coming from 16 points down to post a 0.15.8 (53) to 2.10.8 (50) win at Subiaco.
Geelong skipper Joel Selwood was breathing a sigh of relief after learning his high and late bump on Chris Barrett would not attract an AFL ban.
Selwood was black-carded for the incident.
But when match officials reviewed video footage after the match, they decided not to take the incident any further.
Although Kernan was upset with the standard of umpiring, he praised the spirit shown by both sides, and hoped the series would thrive long into the future.
The series opener attracted 25,502 fans at Adelaide Oval, and 30,116 turned up to Subiaco Oval on Saturday night to watch the series decider.
Fyfe, who was named Australia’s best player of the series, declared he wants to return to the format next year.
Australia coach Chris Scott was another who had fallen in love with the concept, which could be played in the US and Ireland next year.
“I think the potential for the game is huge,” Scott said.
“I didn’t hold that position five years ago. I’ve turned around my thinking on that.”