Selwood black-carded as Australia wins series
GEELONG skipper Joel Selwood is facing a possible AFL ban after being black-carded in Australia’s 53-50 win over Ireland in last night’s International Rules clash in Perth.
Australia trailed by 16 points early in the third quarter, but goals to Eddie Betts and Dayne Zorko in the last 61 seconds of the match lifted the home side to the 0.15.8 (53) to 2.10.8 (50) win in front of 30,116 fans.
The 2-0 series win means Australia regains the Cormac McAnallen Trophy. But the biggest talking point to come out of the match was the incident involving Selwood.
Selwood was black-carded just before half-time after cleaning up Chris Barrett with a late and high bump after the Ireland star had disposed of the ball. Barrett lay dazed on the ground as his teammates remonstrated with Selwood.
The black card meant Sel- wood was rubbed out for the remainder of the match, but Australia could replace him on the field with another player.
The heavy hit lit the fuse, and an all-in push-and-shove erupted at half-time as tempers threatened to boil over.
If Selwood is suspended for the high hit, it would rub him out of the start of Geelong’s home-and-away season.
Last week’s 63-53 win in Adelaide meant Australia could afford to lose by nine points or less in Perth and still win back the trophy.
Ireland led 33-17 after opening the third quarter with a goal. But from there Australia hit back hard, with the thrilling finish proving a fitting finale for Subiaco Oval, which was hosting its last major sporting event.
Nat Fyfe was named Australia’s best player of the series, while Conor McManus was named Ireland’s best player.