Australian coach Mick Malthouse says there is no need for a break in the International Rules series.
The AFL and Gaelic Athletic Association agreed last week for the 2011 series to be held in Australia before leaving the calendar free in 2012.
The series is due to recommence with a series in Ireland in 2013 and back in Australia in 2014 before 2015 is left clear.
Malthouse was a happy man on Saturday night after Australia wrapped up this year’s series with a 0.14.13 (55) to 1.11.13 (52) victory at Croke Park.
“I am just disappointed there is a gap,” he said.
“I am only saying that, not for a headline, all I am saying it would be great for the player group to have it every year but clearly for some reason it is not practical.
“But the players would welcome it if it was there.
“I just think the series today, look at the crowd (of more than 60,000 people), that is a lot of people and a lot of people at home and in Ireland will have watched it.
“There was not one player that did not bust his gut for his country and I think that says it all.”
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou last week said that both associations had “the balance right” in deciding to have every third year off.
“The (structure) was to give the players an opportunity to look forward to playing and touring instead of every two years.”
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The Crowd Says (4) | Page 1 of Comments
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November 1st 2010 @ 8:27am
Karl Nemsow said | November 1st 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Im not sure having the series every year is a good idea. What makes it interesting is thats its a rarity, so maybe every 2 years would make it a little more interesting. Im sure supporters would like it to instead of holding our breathes to see if an accident happens and an injury happens to a star player.
In the end the series and the games are relatively meaningless as the game isnt played at any other time outside of junior Australia vs Ireland games. I would think maybe its time to start promoting the actual game of AFL and setting up something like an IAFL (Irish Australian Football League) in Ireland. But it appears playing Gaelic and having a hybrid test every year is close enough. I hope gaelic never goes professional otherwise we will never get the Irish kids over here.
November 1st 2010 @ 11:13am
Fragglerocker said | November 1st 2010 @ 11:13am | Report comment
Sorry this comment also appears in the “Aussies Win Series” article but I put it in before I read this article and I really suits this one better. (I’m dropping it in Rugby comments as well to see what my fellow rugby followers think)
First off I’ll point out that I’m a rugby fanatic. But I don’t want to start a code war in comments so I’ll acknowledge the popularity of rugby in Australia has nothing on the popularity of AFL, and on the rare occasions I have played Aussie Rules I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself…….Now I’ll get to my actual comment.
I’m a strong supporter of the AFL/GAA international rules concept. I enjoy watching the games, and like the idea of Australian and Irish players getting the chance to represent their countries. I think the compromise rules are very well balanced between the two codes judging by how close the scores have been over the years they have been playing. But I think it could be improved with a fairly radical suggestion. But first two facts:
1. The largest crowd ever for an international rules game in Australia was for the 2003 game at the MCG. The simple reason was that the Australia v Ireland rugby game (world cup pool match) was on the following night at the same venue.
2. The largest crowd for an Australia v Ireland rugby game in Australia in the last 15 years was the 2003 game in Melbourne. The main reason was the fact that it was a Rugby World Cup match but it can’t be denied that another reason was that Australia played Ireland in the international rules match the night before…..I think you can guess where I’m going with this.
In addition the Melbourne cup was on that week as well and several Irish horses took part.
In addition to the thousands of Irish expats/backpackers that flocked to Melbourne that week from all over Aust and NZ, thousands flew out from Ireland. Melbourne was painted green for a week as pubs were drenched in Green and Guinness.
So here’s my suggestion: The ARU, IRFU, GAA and AFL call a truce, get together and work out a playing schedule that sees the international rules series played every second year with a corresponding rugby match in the same city (Melbourne cup week would be good for when Australia hosts). Every two years works for AFL as most commentators agree that playing it every year leads to a loss of interest. Every two years works for the ARU as they can alternate between RWC years and Lions tour years. The only hurdle would be bringing the Irish rugby team down for a one-off match at the start of the Autumn series, but it’s only once every four years and money talks.
The Victorian Government, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Australia could market it as a week long festival. What the hell, bring Soccer Australia in on it as well if you want.
I realise that the biggest benefit would be gained by the ARU but nevertheless, both codes would benefit, and neither code’s supporters like to see their national teams play in half-empty stadiums.
November 2nd 2010 @ 3:09am
Intotouch said | November 2nd 2010 @ 3:09am | Report comment
The Australian and Irish rugby teams will be in Europe playing sides every week in November. the end of oct Aus play NZ so i love the concept but getting the timing right will be almost impossible.
Personally i like the idea of getting more sports involved. Why not invite rugby/soccer players to compete in another team? I really like this I Rules game and i think that it could be a fun way to have all kinds of footballers play against each other who otherwise never will. Most rugby players in Ireland grew up playing gaelic and in Australia how many would also have played soccer/aus rules? It could be a brilliant game and would immediately attract new viewers to the sport.
November 2nd 2010 @ 3:17am
Intotouch said | November 2nd 2010 @ 3:17am | Report comment
Oh, meant to say this wider invitation into International Rules was an idea floated by Fragglerocker on a previous thread. Sorry i should have said.