IRISH forward Tommy Walsh expects a backlash from the Australian team in Friday's second International Rules match at Metricon Stadium.

The tourists go into the second match holding an almost insurmountable 44-point lead following game one in Melbourne, with the two-game series decided by aggregate.

Ireland does anticipate it will face a far more physical Australian outfit on the Gold Coast for game two, but Walsh believes his side still holds an edge.

"We are yeah, we're definitely expecting them to up the intensity," Walsh said.

"But we're not as much worried about them as we are ourselves.

"I think if we can go into the game and control our own intensity and stick to our game plan, I think we can win the game again.

"That's what we're aiming to do.

"It doesn't matter the cushion we have, we want to win the game and win the series."

At 195cm and 97kg, Walsh cuts an imposing figure and had a major impact in the opening game, finishing with 21 possessions and three overs (nine points).

His work rate and marking ability would have pleased the Sydney Swans, who picked up the 23-year-old from St Kilda during AFL Trade Week.

Walsh's focus right now is on helping Ireland regain the Cormac McAnallen Cup, but he will soon turn his attention to pre-season training with the Swans, which commences later this month.

Walsh has spent the past two seasons in the VFL and is excited about the prospect of senior football in 2012.

"Definitely a lot from the start," Walsh said when asked about his improvement over the past two seasons.

"It's a tough game. Any AFL team is tough to break into.

"My goal is to play and hopefully I can do that next year at the Swans.

"I'm very excited to go there and get stuck into the pre-season."

Walsh is the third Saints forward to make the switch from Melbourne to Sydney to link up with the Swans, following Tony Lockett and Barry Hall.

Lockett and Hall were clearly far more developed in their AFL careers than Walsh, who is still learning the finer points of the code.

Walsh is undoubtedly blessed with the right physical gifts to make it in Australian football, but he admits until he gets selected for his first AFL game, he won't know exactly what to expect.

"I won't know if I'm ready or not until I play," he said.

"I feel ready and I think I'm able to play, but time will tell and hopefully I'll get my opportunity."

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of the AFL or the clubs