International Rules Series will be a cracker
Roar Rookie By jono52795, 16 Oct 2010 jono52795 is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- AFL, International Rules Football, Michael Malthouse
117 Have your say
One of the world’s most curious of sports, International Rules Football, is set for a return to our TV screens in a few days time when Australia travel to Ireland for the First Test on October 23.
For some AFL fans, this series is little more than a fly on the wall, a cheesy promotion designed to generate some cash for either the AFL or its Ireland equivalent, the GAA.
However, the not so recent history of this code of football may suggest otherwise. Australian coach Michael Malthouse yesterday had his 23 man squad gather for the first training session at Arden St Oval.
The Australian team departs on Saturday night, in preparation for the first test in Limerick on October 23. That match will (hopefully) be shown live on Channel 7 at 5am that Sunday, Melbourne time.
Although the 2009 series was a no show, due to supposed economic concerns, an optimistic supporter should rightfully feel that this year is the beginning of another chapter in this peculiar sport.
It’s the complexity of the sport, the fact it combines two indigenous codes of football, and presents a spectacle about 60-40 in favor of Gaelic Football that makes it, in every sense of the word, ‘unique.’
At the same time though, this particular code of football has huge potential to generate enjoyment from a variety of sport fans. AFL supporter, Irish fans and even Soccer die hards could sit down and watch this sport, reasonably happy with what they are seeing.
Although the Series will always have its critics, what can seriously be wrong about arranging a two Test series between two famous sporting countries, for a small amount of players who would otherwise not have the opportunity to represent their country? I cannot help but be excited at the upcoming series.
Both squads appear to be extremely well matched, which should make for some entertaining plays and tight finishes.
Indeed, if the 2008 series is anything to go by, the players might put on a spectacle that even Rugby fans will enjoy! Regardless of your preferred code, I would recommend any decent sports fan to wake up early Sunday next and sit back and enjoy a game of football that (when viewed unbiasedly) is guaranteed to entertain.
Go Australia!
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- Explore:
- AFL, International Rules Football, Michael Malthouse
October 16th 2010 @ 9:51am
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 9:51am | Report comment
Joel
as we know, patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel – so I’m happy for sports fans just to tune in and watch something that is pure football, and nothing more.
What do I mean by “pure football”?
The transition of modern football from folk football, circa the 1840s and 1850s involved, by necessity, this need for teams to agree on the rules of the game.
In other words, the true tradition of football, in its purest form, is that it is played by composite rules.
The very earliest years of all the modern forms of football were in essense, composite rules.
So I’m happy to sit back and enjoy a game of pure football as it was always intended: no big dollars involved, no exaggerated nationalism, no chest beating, just pure football.
As it happens, after Australian football and Gaelic football, the hybrid game is easily the best form of football.
It’s fast, open and attacking – there ain’t no sitting back in this game – the team that takes the game by the scruff of the neck wins – and who can argue against any of that?
October 17th 2010 @ 6:13pm
Aka said | October 17th 2010 @ 6:13pm | Report comment
They’ve been playing this game for a few years now. How long does this purity thing last for?
‘No exaggerated nationalism?’ The hybrid game was invented for just that reason.
October 17th 2010 @ 7:00pm
Mister Football said | October 17th 2010 @ 7:00pm | Report comment
Yes, there is no exaggerated nationalism about it.
It allows the the Gaelic and Aussie rules boys a means of playing each other – it has no other significance in any way shape, or form.
It’s a game of football, an entertaining one, nothing more – that’s as pure as things can get.
October 18th 2010 @ 8:53am
Al said | October 18th 2010 @ 8:53am | Report comment
“As it happens, after Australian football and Gaelic football, the hybrid game is easily the best form of football” this of course being all subjective. I doubt you have ever watched a game of gaelic football to be able to make the claim that Gaelic football is one of the “best forms of football” or all the codes of football to make a proper determination.
October 18th 2010 @ 9:05am
Mister Football said | October 18th 2010 @ 9:05am | Report comment
SBS used to show a lot of Gaelic Football, and I used to catch it whenever it was on.
October 18th 2010 @ 9:05pm
beaver fever said | October 18th 2010 @ 9:05pm | Report comment
I have watched a bit of it, dont mind it, except for the lack of tackling it makes good sense, agree with MF here, used to be quite a bit of it on SBS, maybe it’s not “worldly” enough now for SBS.
October 20th 2010 @ 8:35am
Fussball ist unser leben said | October 20th 2010 @ 8:35am | Report comment
No need for conspiracy theories. SBS cannot broadcast Gaelic Football because Setanta Sports is the exclusive broadcaster of Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) in Australia, covering all major Gaelic Football and Hurling from Ireland.
During the Championship season, Setanta Sports endeavours to broadcast every GAA match televised in Ireland.
Source: http://www.setanta.com/au/Our-Sports/GAA/
1. PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Live and delayed games every week from May to July.
2. ALL IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Live and delayed games every week from June to September.
3. NATIONAL LEAGUES
Selected live and delayed fixtures from February to April.
4. ALL IRELAND CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP
Coverage of the traditional annual St Patrick’s Day Finals in March.
October 16th 2010 @ 9:55am
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
There are hundreds of sports played around the world, many of them are even played in the Olympics – and most are no more worthy of appreciation than this hybrid game – which is about as pure a form of football as anyone could ever imagine (in the tradition of the birth of modern football).
In other words, it has has much right to exist as the hundreds of other sports around the world, many of which really only exist via taxpayer funding – at least this particular two test series pays its own way – who can argue with that?
October 18th 2010 @ 8:05pm
Kermit is a frog said | October 18th 2010 @ 8:05pm | Report comment
One would hate to think that the era of experimentation is past. The IR matches are in a way a reminder of the mid-late 1800s as people from differing backgrounds in London, or Melbourne, or in Pittsburgh.
Let’s not start sounding like Charles H. Duell Director of U.S. Patent Office, 1899, stating assuredly that “Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
From a sporting and cultural perspective, let’s hope that we haven’t yet reached the high water mark.
October 16th 2010 @ 10:10am
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 10:10am | Report comment
One interesting point about this series is how evenly matched the teams have been over the years – which is a pointer to the equity of the rules, which favour the Gaelic players, who in turn are disadvantaged by being amateurs and being less equipped for the physical side of the tackling rules (not amongst all players, it has to be said).
What we can say about the Irish, is that they are fast, ultra fast, blindingly fast, and obviously they are cleaner with the round ball than the Australians.
The Australians try and overcome this advantage by using their physical advantages, and using aussie rules movements that attempt to open up the fat side, where Australians can use their advantage in gut running and stamina to get numbers to the ball. This advantage in fitness and professionalism often comes to the fore in the final quarter.
As far as pure football goes – it’s a fascinating contest – and very, very entertaining – very fast, very open, very attacking – I’m not sure what kind of sports fan would not be entertained by such a prospect.
Another interesting element for the Australians is that the 35 year old Dusting Fletcher has been brought back in, presumably to play as goal keeper – a position completely foreign to aussie rules.
Four years ago, Fletcher was mighty as the keeper – as good as anything you would see at a good level of soccer – but two years ago, can’t remember who played in goals – but he had no idea, and we let through the most goals (unders) that any team has ever let through in the history of the series. That will be interesting to see as well.
On the Irish side – six players have either previously been on AFL lists, or remain so today, I think three of them having played senior games (including the two best known, Kenneally and Clarke).
As the perecentage grows over the years (as is likely), one wonders whether a future form of the game could be developed that uses a Sherrin instead of a round ball?
Put all prejudices aside, and enjoy a contest in pure football.
October 16th 2010 @ 10:26am
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 10:26am | Report comment
In case people are unaware, the earliest games between Australia and Ireland were played with full Gaelic rules.
The first Australian tour was in 1967, nicknamed the Galahs, the aussies won all their games, including one game at Croke Park against the All-Ireland team.
The first tour that I recall as a youngster occurred around 1978 – the aussies lost the two games I recall seeing, but they were quite competitive, and I still have a memory of big Don Scott forcing his way through the opposition to score Australia’s only under for the tour – which was received with generous applause from the Irish spectators.
The very first hybrid game, that started the present series, was in 1984.
At that point, the rules were still in a state of flux, and even though tackling was not allowed at that point, the aussied discovered that they were better off tackling and giving away the free kick rather than letting the Irish run rampant – as a result, Australia won that first series.
I can recall the Irish spectators being shocked by both the result of the first game and the tactics of the aussies – but they were also quite excited by the concept – it was inevitable that limited tackling would be allowed thereafter.
October 16th 2010 @ 11:55am
doctor said | October 16th 2010 @ 11:55am | Report comment
If they want to play a 3 nation series, they’ll have to combine those rules with a third sport. Maybe Canadian Football or Lacrosse…
October 16th 2010 @ 12:10pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 12:10pm | Report comment
It complicates things too much.
Two is fine – there’s no real need for more.
The game exists for the two countries involved – it has no other objective than to allow them to play each other.
As it happens, the game itself has turned into a fast, open, attacking contest – as pure a football contest as anyone could ever imagine.
October 16th 2010 @ 12:30pm
Poth Ale said | October 16th 2010 @ 12:30pm | Report comment
Indeed. The IR series generally is very entertaining and I’m hoping to get to the Dublin test – always a good day out and a great bit of banter and pints with the Aussie fans who make the trip or who are resident in the country.
I think this year will have a bit more edge to it after the ‘dust-up’ two series ago. As long as it stays clean, let them at it.
I reckon it’ll be one game apiece with Ireland edging the series overall on goals scored.
October 16th 2010 @ 12:49pm
beaver fever said | October 16th 2010 @ 12:49pm | Report comment
Yes, that is the way i have found them, i went to a game at Subi quite a few years ago, and thought the game was very fast, open and a good feel between the Irish and Australian fans.
I i magine the Aussies will wear sleeved jumpers again this series, as it gets pretty cold in Dublin and Limerick, but i do prefer the Australian football type sleevless jumpers, and it surely would be good to see some white skinny arms from the Iriish.
There was some talk of the US joining this series, as their is quite a big gaelic football scene there (around 125 GAA clubs) , but TBH i would prefer to see Australian football promoted in front of international rules football.
World wide there is plenty of crossover between GAA and Australian football clubs, this one is very close to home between Sydney AFL and the NSW GAA … http://www.aflnswact.com.au/index.php?id=5&tx_ttnewstt_news=292&tx_ttnewsbackPid=4&cHash=35fcdd34b7
Or try this one … http://www.aflnswact.com.au/index.php?id=235
October 16th 2010 @ 2:07pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
Although one quirk of what has been a very even competition since the inception of composite rules back in 1984 is that the visiting team has generally won the series (more often than not).
October 18th 2010 @ 6:34am
Redb said | October 18th 2010 @ 6:34am | Report comment
Agree, been to several IR tests going back to 2003. Enjoyed them all mostly.
I hope the Aussies can adapt to the round ball or at least play it on its merits, keep it low to the ground and not try too many long drop punts.
Good to see Swan and Kieran Jack in the team. Goodes is all class, Fletcher ever reliable (plays for my team).
cheers
October 16th 2010 @ 1:43pm
djfrobinson said | October 16th 2010 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
Hi..
I do not understand this entirely because I’m not a fan of AFL but I do enjoy reading the AFL messageboard especially this one. However it sounds like the game is a mix between the 2 different codes being AFL and the Irish football.
if these games are to continue why haven’t the 2 different codes pushed for a more streamlined version played in both countries to make the competition much more exciting as both sides would be more adapt to playing a standard rule set. This would mean a much more competitive game and also give AFL a better chance of expanding internationally.
If AFl is truly set on international expansion, then it would make sense for a single set of rules played by all nations across the board, no matter what those rules are.
Standardization of the rule set is the first step to world domination.
October 16th 2010 @ 2:01pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 2:01pm | Report comment
dj
they are far too diverse to amalgamate (in fact, I’d would submit they are more diverse to each other than Union is to League). For instance, Union and League share the same shaped and textured ball and have many rules in common. The only thing the Gaelic and Australian rules have in common is the bio-mechanics of propelling the ball – there is almost nothing in common thereafter (apart from the generic rules that are common to all forms of football). The game is basically Gaelic rules, with the deletion of some rules that are too foreign for the Australians, and with the addition of some Australian rules to square up the ledger.
The composite rules are great fun, and truly entertaining: fast, open, attacking – everything you want from a team sport – but at the end of the day each set of fans prefers to return to their clubs and their brand of football – that is the reality.
It’s unrealistic for anyone to think beyond that.
The Gaelic amateur team sports are the biggest in Ireland, and the Australian game is the biggest in Australia and there is absolutely zero chance of any coming together.
After the very first series in 1984, I can recall seeing a news report on an Irish show that stated the two authorities were experimenting with a ball that could be readily played by both sides. Anyone who recalls owning an old bloated footy when they were a kid will understand what kind of shape we’re talking about: ok to drop kick, not too good to torp.
From an Australian aspect, it is sometimes viewed as a distraction from the current growth in Australian Football in a dozen countries around the world, and I believe there is some truth in that.
October 16th 2010 @ 1:55pm
Long On said | October 16th 2010 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
While I agree with the concept of International rules I think you have to see the series as more of a cultural event than sporting contest. There are similarities in both codes and they have a number of issues in common. However despite the similarities the actual games are different enough to make a hybrid game a bit of a stretch. The winner has more to do with what code the rules favour than any sporting quality. In that sense the Irish must start as hot favourites.
In framing the hybrid rules the AFL obviously gave in to the Irish as the negotiated rules are far closer to Gaelic football. Tackling has always been the big problem with the hybrid rules. Gaelic football doesn’t have tackling , while the quality of footballers here is defined by their ability to tackle or play well despite the pressure of the tackling. I have watched Gaelic matches and you see blokes running with the ball, an opponent running alongside can only slap at the ball. This difference makes an acceptable contest almost impossible.
It is beyond doubt that a number of the Australians, frustrated at not being able to tackle, will nail some of the Irishmen. It is perfectly understandable, tackling is in their DNA, though the Irish will cut up rough. The Irish response will be seen as an overreaction by our guys and ugliness will ensue.
I will still watch, better than watching most other sport at the moment. And judging by recent attendances the Irish agree. The last time the Australians played an International rules game in Ireland they got over 82,000 at Croke Park. In 2009 the Socceroos got 20,000 playing in Limmerick, while the Wallabies, the 2nd best team in the world, got 77,000 at Croke Park. Seems even the Irish prefer watching Australian footballers to our soccer and rugby teams, even if it is a bastardised form of football.
October 16th 2010 @ 5:56pm
beaver fever said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:56pm | Report comment
Nice post, it surely is a bastardised form of football, but what code is not, at any rate , this is how all football codes started.
The pace and openess of these games is fantasic IMO, you can do a hell of a lot worse.
October 16th 2010 @ 3:57pm
djfrobinson said | October 16th 2010 @ 3:57pm | Report comment
Norm.
I don’t understand what your point is. Aussie rules is as a legitimate sport as any other out there.
MF
I wasn’t expecting the rule set to be changed instantly overnight but what AFL fans do not recognize is that the bigger the sport grows internationally the more demand there will be for a AFL world body to control to the sport and set the changing rules. The current AFL administration will not be able to keep control of the game if this were to happen because each country where the sport spreads will start to demand their own vote, or say over what happens to the sport. If AFL and Irish Football are close enough to be able to challenge each other in the international rules series then perhaps the international rules is where the game’s future lays? I am not saying change the rules over night but its not impossible for both Ireland and AFL to slowly change the rules over time to make it closer and closer to the IR rule set.
Hope that all makes sense.
October 16th 2010 @ 4:22pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 4:22pm | Report comment
1. The games are more differennt to each other than Union and League.
2. The strength of both games in their country are the support of their clubs/counties. In the Australian context: the greater the internationalisation of the sport, the weaker the domestic competition, and vice versa.
3. If the playing numbers overseas for Australian Football grow from the present 53,000 to 100k or even 200k – it does not affect the AFL competition in any way, shape or form, except to the extent that 2 or 3 players might be recruitable from overseas. There is no other effect. There has been at least one attempt to create an international body separate to the AFL and controlled by people from overseas – but how can that have a ramification for the AFL? It can’t. It’s overseas bodies that have created the 9s version of the game and that have created their own championships – in fact, the International Cup was created with zero input from the AFL (but it now hosts it and assists with some expenses). Such developments have zero effect on the AFL.
October 16th 2010 @ 4:32pm
djfrobinson said | October 16th 2010 @ 4:32pm | Report comment
as i said i don’t know much about the game except what i’ve read on this messageboard but i think you’ve made things clearer for me
.
Thanks
October 16th 2010 @ 5:09pm
Norm said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:09pm | Report comment
-” Aussie rules is as a legitimate sport as any other out there.”…BUT they’re NOT playing aussie rules!
October 16th 2010 @ 5:12pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:12pm | Report comment
Norm
I never knew you cared so much about our national game!
October 16th 2010 @ 5:14pm
Norm said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:14pm | Report comment
I always cared about cricket.
October 16th 2010 @ 5:20pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:20pm | Report comment
There was a time in our nation’s history when Australian Football was subsidiary to Cricket.
October 16th 2010 @ 5:29pm
Australian Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
You could also lay claim to that notion with Rugby, Rugby League and Football.. so what..
October 17th 2010 @ 7:23pm
jimbo said | October 17th 2010 @ 7:23pm | Report comment
Its not legitimate.
This is not an Aussie Rules game nor an Irish Rules game.
Its the illegitimate son of the AFL and the Irish Gaelic Football Association both desperate for some international exposure.
October 17th 2010 @ 7:31pm
Mister Football said | October 17th 2010 @ 7:31pm | Report comment
It has nothing to do with international exposure – the AFL pursues other options for that.
It’s a game of football between two countries who have no one else to play against (because no one else is up to the requisite standard in their respective codes).
It represents nothing more than that.
October 17th 2010 @ 7:38pm
Mister Football said | October 17th 2010 @ 7:38pm | Report comment
When I say the AFL purse other options for international exposure.
Here is but one example:
http://www.aflphotos.com.au/galleries/results/?photostore=afl.com.au&q=collection:afl%202010%20media%20-%20shanghai%20showdown%20tour%20141010
October 17th 2010 @ 7:50pm
beaver fever said | October 17th 2010 @ 7:50pm | Report comment
Jimbo said Its not legitimate, its the illegitimate son.
We are talking about a game of football here, or is there something else I have missed out on, talk about hysteria.
October 17th 2010 @ 7:57pm
Mister Football said | October 17th 2010 @ 7:57pm | Report comment
Exactly bf, it’s just a game of football – absolutely no one, on either the Irish or Australian side makes it more than what it is: a game of football (two games in total).
The game is played purely for the enjoyment of the players and spectators – it exists for no other purpose.
Looking at the birth of the modern form of football back in teh 1840s and 1850s, where clubs would decide on the rules before they played each other, and the game was played solely for the enjoyment of players and spectators, quite clearly the composite gaelic rules continue to represent the pure objective of football as it was always intended – to play a game of football purely for the enjoyment of it.
Have we all forgotten what it once felt like to play a game just for the enjoyment of it.
Think back people, think back, to those carefree days in the schoolyard, where nothing was more important than chasing after the pigskin and sinking the slipper into it.
This is what we relive with the Ireland vs Australia series – football for the pure enjoyment of it.
October 16th 2010 @ 4:15pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
I don’t think it’s fair that you should denigrate Norm in that manner.
The Roar welcomes a diversity of opinion – even his.
October 16th 2010 @ 5:03pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:03pm | Report comment
Midfielder has admitted to having a couple of Hunter Reds before dinner.
October 16th 2010 @ 10:20pm
Midfielder said | October 16th 2010 @ 10:20pm | Report comment
Actually more than a couple but let’s keep that our little secret…sometimes the Roar lets you down this was suppose to be a reply to MF … a couple of reds …
October 16th 2010 @ 5:11pm
Norm said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:11pm | Report comment
Don there’s nothing fine about him.
October 16th 2010 @ 5:13pm
Mister Football said | October 16th 2010 @ 5:13pm | Report comment
Midfielder is as fine a man as I have ever met.