AFL says all-star game needs club backing

The AFL warns any attempt to reintroduce an all-star or representative match is doomed without elusive club support.

The AFL Players Association was lobbying for an all-star match before the start of next season, but that will not happen.

The league’s deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said attitudes would have to change first.

“What we are not going to do, whether it’s the IRS (international rules series) or this all-star representative game, is (do it) unless the whole industry has bought in and we have our best players playing,” McLachlan said.

“If you look at the media and the commentary out there at the moment, the players are on board, but again we have this problem of clubs just not buying into it.

“I get that – it’s hugely-fierce, competitive contest, our home and away season.

“It’s a war of attrition and it’s super-serious.

“We won’t do anything unless we have everyone on board and that’s looking increasingly unlikely.”

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott reflected the concerns at club level about any all-star or state-based games.

“My perspective is I’m happy for players to play in it as long as they don’t get injured,” Scott said.

“At least if they get injured in one of our practice games they’re under our control.

“I think that’s the great fear, that you’re releasing your players to go off and play in a different concept where they’re exposed for various reasons under a different regime.”

Scott said he nearly had a heart attack when it appeared his star forward Lindsay Thomas might be reported for a high tackle during the international match against Ireland.

Despite the setback, the players association remains determined for the league to have an all-star game.

“We understand that there are issues that need to be sorted out before this game can become a reality and that it will only be successful if we have ‘buy in’ from fans and general support from the AFL clubs,” acting chief executive Ian Prendergast said.

“While we are disappointed at not getting this concept up for the 2014 season, we believe that the discussions have been worthwhile.”

McLachlan also backed the international matches against Ireland, even though an indigenous all-stars lineup struggled badly in their two Tests.

“I don’t think I’m too controversial to say it was very disappointing, what happened in Ireland,” McLachlan said.

“Again, it comes back to us not having our best team on the park.

“It was not our best indigenous team, either.

“It would be incredibly disappointing if that was the end of it.

“If we are going to do the IRS, it has to be the very best players.”