Australian coach Rodney Eade has promised his team will put on a vastly improved display when it takes on Ireland in game two of the International Rules Series at the Gold Coast on Friday night.
One change has already been made from the team mauled by 44 points in game one in Melbourne, with Brisbane Lion Joel Patfull brought in to replace the injured Jake King (knee).
Eade says team spirit remained high despite the first Test shellacking and he's very confident of a competitive showing at Metricon Stadium for game two.
"Everyone's in reasonable spirits," Eade said.
"We've got Joel Patfull from the Brisbane Lions coming into the squad, so we're certainly looking forward to his contribution.
"But we need to be a lot better than we were last Friday night, there's no doubt about that.
"I can certainly promise the supporters and the people going to the game that it will be a lot more competitive game."
The team arrived on the Gold Coast on Sunday and had a training session on Monday morning before enjoying a little down time at Dreamworld’s White Water World.
King isn't the only injury concern, with Liam Shiels battling a corked thigh, while Eade said "there's a couple of others" in doubt without naming names.
He had hoped to bring in either one of Gold Coast duo Jarrod Harbrow or Nathan Bock, but both are overseas.
The players in the squad at least have another week to come to grips with the round ball, which proved a major hurdle in the first Test.
But focusing on effort and physicality, rather than worrying about the ball or who isn't in the squad, is Eade's priority.
"I don't think the kicking skills are going to improve enormously because it's so difficult with the round ball," he said.
"But there are some areas that we've got control of and areas we need to get better at.
"We want to win. I think it's going to be difficult to win the series and make up a 44-point deficit.
"But that's out of our control, we've really just got to worry about this week's game and be more competitive and try to win the game.
"That's our focus."
Australian midfielder Andrew Swallow feels the hosts fell into a trap of trying to match the Irish at their own game in Melbourne.
He believes the Australians need to concentrate on their strengths if they are to emerge victorious in the deciding Test.
"They came out and played really well and took it up to us and we probably didn't quite play the way we would've liked to," he said.
"We need to be a bit more physical and play the way we do when we play AFL.
"They've got a few tricks up their sleeve and I think we were a bit bedazzled at times, but if we can come out and be a bit more physical I think we can turn the result around."
