REVOLUTIONISING the goalkeeper position has given Australia an advantage in the Virgin Australia International Rules Series against Ireland, Brendon Goddard says.
The Essendon veteran starred in an uncustomary role for the hosts in the first Test in Adelaide, coming off the goal line to attack the Irish forwards instead of the traditional method of defending from the square.
Goddard, who saved several Irish shots on goal, says the tactic was a big factor in the 10-point win over the visitors.
"There are only two real advantages: you're allowed to pick the ball up in the smaller box and you're not allowed to be tackled," Goddard told radio station SEN.
"I think that caught them a bit off-guard because I think they're so used to staying back in goal like you saw their goalie.
"They thought I would be on the (goal) line waiting for them."
He concedes his first two kickouts were "rubbish and they scored off one of them", but Goddard then felt more comfortable with the foreign round ball in his hands.
While Irish forwards Michael Murphy and Conor McManus constantly kept the 32-year-old novice on his toes when in attacking mode, it was a far different story when he and fellow defenders Michael Hibberd and Kade Simpson were on the counterattack.
"When we actually won the ball, there was very little pressure from their forwards that we're accustomed to (in the AFL)," Goddard said.
"I was hesitant to switch the ball and look to the other side (of the ground, thinking) their forwards would be involved in defence but it's not at the front of their mind and it's not natural to them in their game.
"We were able to move the ball out of their back half."
The Australians will go into Saturday's second and final Test in Perth as strong favourites to reclaim the Cormac McAnallen Trophy.
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Second Test: Domain Stadium, Saturday, November 18
