The 2011 International Rules series kicks off tomorrow week with the first of two games to be played at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. The second game will be played at Metricon Stadium, Gold Coast the following week.
Australia won both games in Ireland last year, in a dominant display; showing good ability with the unfamiliar round ball.
Only four players who were part of that squad will make an appearance again this year.
Most would know that the International Rules series is played with a composite of rules taken from both Australian and Gaelic football; the key compromises being that a round ball is used, with the Gaelic football field lay out while limited tackling is allowed, and a mark earns a free kick.
The game is generally played at a very fast pace, and considering that it’s a compromised game, it’s normally quite entertaining. Part of its appeal lies in the fact that it is quite open and attacking, with the rules of the game generally limiting the formation of packs.
On the other hand, the Australians will get only a few weeks to train with the round ball, and this will often show during the game, while the Irish are disadvantaged by both the tackling, and the marking rule, which can often put them in two minds as to whether they should play on or stop and assess their options.
Some may not be aware that the matches between the two countries has a long history, and in fact stems from the first Australian tour of Ireland back in 1967.
That tour comprised VFL players and included some big names, such as Ron Barassi, Bob Skilton, a very young Royce Hart and Alex Jesaulenko.
They played mainly Gaelic football, with a couple of small compromises to the rules and the VFL had wins against the two club teams that competed in the All-Ireland final that year.
Another tour was organised in 1968, this time there were also players from the SANFL, WAFL and VFA represented.
Matches between the two countries became spasmodic after that, but regular matches were reintroduced in 1984 to coincide with the centenary celebrations of the Gaelic Athletic Association, and the series as we now know commenced in 1998.
The results over this period have been remarkably close, with Australia winning six series to Ireland’s five. Australia has scored 1215 points to Ireland’s 1178 points.
The highest attendance on record is 82,127, to see the second Test at Croke Park, Dublin in 2006.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Slowly but surely I'm starting to come round to a similar view, and maybe the AFL is as well. They've done zero marketing, they've allowed Eade to pick a team of no names, it probably suits the AFL to have a half empty Etihad (or worse) so that they can kill if off. It seems to me that as they gradually up the resources on developing the game outside of Australia, they might have to make a call on killing off IR forever.
TW
Guest
Yep I deleted the post I was going to put up. This is off topic but International Talking about hosting - The Annual AFL AIS Squad trip overseas in 2012 will not have far to travel. They will be hosted by the NZAFL in January for 2 matches against the NZ Hawks. The Hawks Squad will be selected from the NZ Provincial Championships to be held shortly. This is a much better concept than the Irish Series IMHO, and slowly but surely our game continues to grow offshore. Would like them to go to PNG as well in the future.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Midfielder I've just sumbled on the exact breakdown of the $1.25 billion over 5 years: Foxtel $600 mill (includes every game live except the grand final) Seven $475 mill (four games per round live, and finals, no preseason games, incl Brownlow) Telstra $150 mill (all games live)
The Cattery
Roar Guru
I have always liked the nick name the galahs, but by the same token, it's further grist to the mill for the detractors.
zach
Guest
Actually it was some wag in the press who dubbed them the Galahs - apparently he was opposed to the idea of the series back then. Some things never change. BTW I love it, and I like the name " Ïnternational Rules".
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Posting cancelled??
TW
Guest
posting cancelled
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yeh, agree with that. One other thing about playing the Irish last year, I can recall the commentator being in awe of how quickly the Irish players were closed down by the Australians - there was a genuine understanding of the speed of the game and the pressure on the ball carrier. That's terminology that aussie rules fans understand, and our Gaelic friends understand the concept as well - in fact, they understand it better than many Australians who don't follow aussie rules closely - such people appear to have zero undertanding of the speed of the game and the pressure on the ball carrier.
stabpass
Guest
I would agree, that investing all that money and energy into the pacific or South Africa would have possibly produced better results, but there is something about the Irish, that appeals to many people, particuarly many Australian football people, who accept that the Irish or Irish descendants have been part and parcel of the game, and in particular certain clubs for 150 years. And gee, we all love their accent.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Jake Niall has written a good article in The Age today: Why the Irish experiment doesn't add up. It's more about the concept of recruiting Irish footballers, as opposed to the IR series. Ever since Paul Early debuted and played his one and only game for Melbourne exactly 27 years ago, a total of 34 Irish footballers have appeared on AFL lists in that time (not counting the many who have trialled and done pre-season training). As many as 19 of that number never played a game, or are yet to play one (there are a few on lists who are looking to debut in 2012). Several played one, two or three games. Melbourne has had five who played an aggregate of three games. How much better off will we be investing 27 years in the Pacific? Immeasurably.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Yes, the breakdown was very close to that. The cash component added up to something like $1.155 billion, another 100 mill odd was in-kind (free advertising, promotion, etc) So there's another 55 mill odd spread across those numbers, but the first digit of each is correct, i.e. correct to the nearest $100 mill, each might be a smidgeon higher.
Midfielder
Guest
TC Off topic ... but can you give me a hand... the AFL media deal do you know the breakdown... I understand it is 1.25 billion but am unsure of how that is broken down.. Sorry for jumping in but it a live AFL thread so I tho someone would know In this general format.. PayTV ..600 FTATV ... 400 Telstra .. 100
Republican
Guest
Jason A Sorry, typo, that should have read 1/3. Cheers
JasonA
Roar Rookie
Are you seriously claiming that 75% of Australians have Irish heritage ? I agree that the sport does nothing for either code, its a waste of time and poor excuse for rep football.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Frank Let me give you an opinion. I don't like the name: International Rules - it's a silly name considering only two countries are involved. I enjoy watching the game, so I will watch it most years on TV - I'm actually going in the game at Etihad next Friday. There's very little point to it - but should there necessarily be a point to watching any sport? The players selected are iffy, it would appear most of the "stars" aren't that interested, the AFL has barely advertised it, so you'd think it's on its last legs, and in truth, very few would miss it.
Republican
Guest
Does anyone honestly give a toss about this hybrid nonsense. I am a proud Australian of Irish heritage as are approx 3/4 of Australians and this does nothing for either code or culture in my humble opinion.
Frank Walker
Guest
Isn't this an opinion site Cattery? Give us something mate!!! Rather than give us a beginner's guide to what the international rules series is, how about you tell us whether you think it's a waste of time? Or maybe your opinion on the players that are actualyl selected... C'mon Cattery - LIFT!!
The Cattery
Roar Guru
You might be right on that last point.
Australian Rules
Guest
Funny stories came out of the 67 trip Cat...the "Galahs" (as the Aust team called themselves) had stops in Bucharest and other random European cities on the way... ..and so was born the junket. I've said in other articles that the interest from AFL players and staff in "doing the Ireland leg" is enormous (they send a team of thousands) but when the series is on home soil, more players opt to have that much-needed surgery or simply don't make themselves available. That says it all really. It's a quick, skillful spectacle and a bit of fun, but I fear it reached its heights a few years ago.
The Cattery
Roar Guru
Here's a timely article from Mike Sheehan of the HS, sounding a warning about the likely demise of the concept. Looking at it from the point of view of who is in the squad, he makes good sense. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hybrid-game-at-crossroad-as-apathy-rules/story-e6frf9jf-1226172332138?from=public_js As I mentioned in the article, only four players from the previous tour are present, which of itself is a bit odd. There is only one club captain in the squad, only one club B&F winner from this season, only two All-Australians, seven players don't even have 50 AFL games to their name. It probably marks a lack of interest from both the public and the players themselves, but equally, in my mind, it's a sign following on from last year's series that the AFL is starting to become a little too strong in this form of the game, professionalism is starting to make its mark, that if the AFL were to put out their very best players, it would be a non-contest. The concept has to be so finely calibrated to ensure an even contest, it doesn't take too much to swing the balance one way or the other. It's possible that the time has come to swing the balance back to playing more of a Gaelic Footbal style of game - but that then leads to the obvious question: why not play one game or the other rather than composite rules? An interesting side note, the Irish team might end up with 8 players with previous AFL experience, including a few who have been on AFL lists without actually playing a game of AFL - an interesting development.