Australia 56 (0-17-5)
Ireland 46 (2-9-7)

Ireland will return home from Australia this week empty handed after falling to a 10-point defeat to the hosts in Patersons Stadium, Perth this morning.

Under the watchful eye of coach Alastair Clarkson, Australia adopted a much more serious approach to this year's series and their 'All Stars' selection put on an exhibition during the first and second quarters to gain revenge for last year's record defeat on Irish soil and get their hands on the Cormac McAnallen Cup.

Ireland's players can't be faulted for their efforts after the halfway mark and a strong third quarter showing was the main positive from their point of view but manager Paul Earley was left to count the cost of their slow start.

Played in front of an attendance of 38,262, the visitors had no answer to the speed and movement of their professional opponents in the opening exchanges and the Australians issued an early statement of intent when Steve Johnson converted an 'over' in the first minute.

It was all one-way traffic during the first quarter with the physically imposing Johnson causing all sorts of problems for the Irish defence.

The Geelong star's three 'overs' parachuted the hosts into an 0-18 to 0-1 lead after just 12 minutes as the Aussies comfortably adapted to the unfamiliar round ball.

Ireland 'keeper Paddy O'Rourke was called into action to deny Brent Harvey a goal in the 7th minute while the woodwork kept a Chad Wingard effort out two minutes later.

Colm O'Neill got Ireland off the mark with a 'behind' in the 8th minute but another 11 minutes elapsed before captain Michael Murphy sent over Ireland's first 'over' and the team in green and white tailed by 4-22 at the hooter.

The second quarter continued where the first left off with Ireland struggling to gain a foothold in the contest and Johnson increased Australia's lead to 20 points.

Two Nick Riewoldt 'overs' made it 31-7 and it could have been curtains for Ireland as some last ditch defending saw Finian Hanley clear a Wingard goal bound effort off his line shortly after.

The half-time hooter came as a welcome relief to the Irish who were left with a mountain to climb, facing into a 7-35 deficit.

Australia started the third quarter with 'overs' from Windgard and Jared McVeigh but Darren Hughes gave Ireland a glimmer of hope when he found the back of the home side's net in the 6th minute.

Boosted by Hughes' six-pointer, the Irish hit five 'overs' without reply through Conor McManus (2), Mattie Donnelly (2) and Ross Munnelly and, all of a sudden, they were back in contention, trailing by 30-43.

Robbie Gray settled Australia nerves with an 'over' and entering the final quarter, Australia held a 16 point advantage.

Colm Begley and Wingard traded 'overs' at the start of the final quarter before Kieren Jack extended the home side's lead.

Nick Smith saved Michael Murphy's blushes when kicking the ball into his own net after the Donegal man failed to beat Oz 'keeper Dustin Fletcher from close range and that left the scoreboard reading 56-43 in Australia's favour with five minutes to go.

McManus - who was later named as the Irish player of the series - sent over the game's last 'over' as time ran out for the visitors. Australia's Luke Hodge, meanwhile, picked up the Jim Stynes medal after the final hooter as the home country's player of the series.

Australia scorers: S Johnson 12 (0-4-0), N Riewoldt 10 (0-3-1), C Wingard 9 (0-3-0), J McVeigh 6 (0-2-0), R Gray 5 (0-1-2), Luke Breust 4 (0-1-1), J Selwood 3 (0-1-0), B Harvey 3 (0-1-0), K Jack 3 (0-1-0), B Smith 1 (0-0-1).

Ireland scorers: C McManus 12 (0-4-0), D Hughes 7 (1-0-1), Nick Smith 6 (Own Goal), M Donnelly 6 (0-2-0), M Murphy 3 (0-1-0), K McKernan 3 (0-1-0), C Begley 3 (0-1-0), S Cavanagh 2 (0-0-2), C O'Neill 1 (0-0-1), P Hanley 1 (0-0-1), R Munnelly 1 (0-0-1), D Moran 1 (0-0-1).

Australia: Dustin Fletcher; Nick Smith, Harry Taylor, Sam Mitchell; Jarrad McVeigh, Luke Hodge, Kieran Jack; Jobe Watson, Joel Selwood; Robbie Gray, Steve Johnson, Brent Harvey; Luke Breust, Nic Naitanui, Chad Wingard. Interchange: Travis Boak, Grant Birchall, Brendon Goddard, Leigh Montagna, Nick Riewoldt, Patrick Dangerfield, Brodie Smith, Tom Rockliff.

Ireland: Paddy O'Rourke; Neil McGee, Finian Hanley, Ciaran McDonald; Chrissy McKaigue, James McCarthy, Lee Keegan; David Moran, Pearce Hanley; Seán Cavanagh, Michael Murphy, Colm Begley; Colm O'Neill, Aidan O'Shea, Conor McManus. Interchange: Colm Boyle, Cathal Cregg, Mattie Donnelly, Darren Hughes, Kevin McKernan, Kevin McLoughlin, Ross Munnelly, Aidan Walsh.

Referees: Simon Meredith (AFL), Marty Duffy (GAA).

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