The series is decided on an aggregate points basis, so the Subiaco Oval loss, while frustrating for the hosts, could have been far worse.
Selwood, who had 27 touches to make him one of the leading possession winners on the ground, said his hard-finishing team would be vastly improved for the hit-out.
"It was good, but I guess the conditions were pretty tough for us," he said. "A bit blowy and wet, and the guys took a little while to get used to it.
"But I think by the end of it, we were starting to get the hang of the game. It's a bit like last time – we just lost, and then the next week we came out and really took control, so hopefully we do it again.
"We're hoping that we get better conditions in Melbourne next week."
Selwood said the shape and flight characteristics of the round ball were giving the Australians – used to an oval ball -- the usual problems.
"They just knew the flight of the ball – we were expecting the ball to dip a lot quicker, as with the Sherrin.
"The round ball just hangs up, and the guys got caught having to go at the big mark when it just hung that little bit more, so we'll just have to practice more high kicks during the week to get used to the sort of kicking that they do."
While Campbell Brown got yellow-carded for a spectacular bump laid in the last few minutes of the match, Selwood said the sportsmanship from both teams was a key part of the game.
"That's the way it is these days, and as long as it's fair out there, I don't see any reason why the guys would be angry or wanting to go back to the past.
"We'd be talking about Browny's hit for weeks in the AFL and unfortunately it cost us, but that's just his type of play, and you wouldn't expect any less.
"Next week at the MCG will be good – the Irish will be looking forward to playing at the MCG as well, but we know the ground better than them.
"We just hope that with only one point difference tonight, we'll get a good crowd for the decider."
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The 2008 Toyota International Rules Series: Australia v Ireland
Second Test – MCG, Melbourne, Friday October 31
Tickets on sale now at ticketmaster.com.au, by calling 1300 136 122 or at a Ticketmaster outlet.
For full coverage of the 2008 series, click here.
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