International Rules 2011

[Sprout]

I suspect many Aus fans dont really see the old problems with how the IR rough stuff occurred in the past. When Danyle Pearce knocked out Graham Geraghty, nobody considered it a nasty tackle. The damage was done as Pearce swung Geraghty around and down hard into the ground. That's what concussed Geraghty. The fact he had been singled out in advance media coverage as a "target" for Aussie rough treatment added to the furore.

As an Irish fan of IR for a long time, I never wanted IR to become too sanitised. We also like a tough game, but just without the cynical pure dirt tactics that are not even a part of your own game. What would have happened to Chris Johnson if he tried that "clothes-line" in AFL? How about Matthew Scarlett's head punches? And the few times that an Irish player managed to effect a good tackle on an Aussie and pulled him to the ground, it often seemed the Aussie took it as an insult to his manhood and needed to retaliate in force.

Bottom line - many players on both sides claim they like the IR and want it to continue. It's easy to profess your support when you're own team are winning. Now that this Australia team, whether you think they are good or bad, really need a bit of support, are you going to turn your back on a team representing your country? Is that all you've got?

The bottom line is that the outstanding majority of AFL fans couldn't give two shits about this format or this series. It is viewed as a gimmick that has reached its use-by date. Those are just the facts. So the team would have to be supported to begin with in order for fans to turn their back.

 

[keane2097]

This is so sad.

You've got an Irish guy who you'll probably never see around here again celebrating like the Irish football side just want the World Cup, and a bunch of fish taking the bait like it's their last meal.

Take it for what it is. A made up sport with players who only half give a shit, whoever wins it wont matter a week later.

Yeah I was purely taking the piss for a while there, apologies

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

The only thing that came close was Robinson's attack on the ball in the 3rd, which only looked bad because the Irish guy squibbed it, went in half arsed and got hurt as a result.

Squibbed it?

He put his body on the line to get the ball and Robinson's cannoned in over the back of his head.

Not sure how the lad squibbed it.

Australia had no game plan was the issue. And they didn't pick a team with enough variety in skill sets.

Less the players fault and more those knobs who think they know shit about Gaelic who pick and coach the Aussie teams.

The best example of that was one of the drills they had the Australian players running before the game. Was woeful and pointless and summed up what they had obviously been doing at training.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

This is so sad.

You've got an Irish guy who you'll probably never see around here again celebrating like the Irish football side just want the World Cup, and a bunch of fish taking the bait like it's their last meal.

Take it for what it is. A made up sport with players who only half give a shit, whoever wins it wont matter a week later.

Are you pretending not to care by posting in a thread about something you don't care about?

 

[Rob]

Squibbed it?

He put his body on the line to get the ball and Robinson's cannoned in over the back of his head.

Not sure how the lad squibbed it.

Nah, watch the replay. He didn't put his body on the line at all, he tried to poke the ball out with his hand and not go down low. Don't entirely blame him, i'd imagine it's just what they're trained to do in Gaelic football.

Australia had no game plan was the issue. And they didn't pick a team with enough variety in skill sets.

Less the players fault and more those knobs who think they know shit about Gaelic who pick and coach the Aussie teams.

The best example of that was one of the drills they had the Australian players running before the game. Was woeful and pointless and summed up what they had obviously been doing at training.

There was a game plan - it looked pretty similar to past series to me. But when you consistently turn the ball over and apply virtually no pressure on the ball carrier, no game plan is going to work.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

Nah, watch the replay. He didn't put his body on the line at all, he tried to poke the ball out with his hand and not go down low. Don't entirely blame him, i'd imagine it's just what they're trained to do in Gaelic football.

You can't play the ball in Gaelic Football when you're on the ground.

Going to ground in Gaelic is something that's not taught in training.

There was a game plan - it looked pretty similar to past series to me. But when you consistently turn the ball over and apply virtually no pressure on the ball carrier, no game plan is going to work.

In past series i've seen more structured looking game plans from the Australian teams.

As I said previously, they haven't selected a diverse enough list of players who offer different skill sets.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

Like I said before the match, we picked a terrible coach, terrible team and terrible captain.

Was the objective really to win?

Hopefully now it can be put to bed. Unfortunately as I also said before the series started, Vlad is probably hoping for the loss because the Irish are only interested when they win and he is probably hoping the Aussie parochial nature will kick in after a loss (really hope not though).

 

[The Biff]

When Ireland lose, we want to try harder next year.

When Australia lose, you want to scrap the whole concept.

 

[Duggie]

some comments on here are really laughable..
only a small number of people in each country care about the IR(me one of them). Its 2 games, nothing more, it is what it is. We watch it and then we forget about it. Watch it or dont watch it, no one is forcing people. I also watch AFL every week by the way so im not as biased as some.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

When Ireland lose, we want to try harder next year.

When Australia lose, you want to scrap the whole concept.

I think it is usually the other way around.

Like when the Irish couldn't handle the physicality and the series was nearly scrapped, or like last year when we played in a way the Irish wanted but with a semi decent team. Irish media and fans bawing about the series being past its use by date and boring.

Dare I say, liars, whingers and hypocrites.

Most here have wanted the series scrapped for a looooooong time.

 

[Tiff]

It's all well and good to say, oh who cares about this stupid exhibition, and I dont really care either, but c'mon, it's pretty embarassing to get flogged by a bunch of farmers in our own country.

We are representing Australia after all. I normally wouldn't care, if we had of lost by ten points, I wouldnt care. But to flogged, just pisses me off. Especially considering I can hear that stupid irish chant coming from the pub across the road.

If this series is going to continue then we need to select a team as if we actually give a shit, otherwise just not bother at all. It's embarassing that we get flogged by a bunch of amateurs, and it's embarassing that we got flogged even though our players, looking a lot like a bunch of yobbo local footballers, probably earn more than Ireland itself.

Full respect to Ireland, they're super talented and awesome footballers, but the machine that is AFL should be able to produce better then that. It's just embarassing. You've ruined any argument I might have with an Irishmen down the pub now about the two sports.

The Irish were even more physical.

 

[Duggie]

Most here have wanted the series scrapped for a looooooong time.

i doubt anyone in forcing the AFL to keep it going if they didnt want to. send a petition to them.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

It's all well and good to say, oh who cares about this stupid exhibition, and I dont really care either, but c'mon, it's pretty embarassing to get flogged by a bunch of farmers in our own country.

We are representing Australia after all. I normally wouldn't care, if we had of lost by ten points, I wouldnt care. But to flogged, just pisses me off. Especially considering I can hear that stupid irish chant coming from the pub across the road.

If this series is going to continue then we need to select a team as if we actually give a shit, otherwise just not bother at all. It's embarassing that we get flogged by a bunch of amateurs, and it's embarassing that we got flogged even though our players, looking a lot like a bunch of yobbo local footballers, probably earn more than Ireland itself.

Full respect to Ireland, they're super talented and awesome footballers, but the machine that is AFL should be able to produce better then that. It's just embarassing. You've ruined any argument I might have with an Irishmen down the pub now about the two sports.

The Irish were even more physical.

And this is the BS the AFL admin were probably hoping for.

Look at the squad, coach and captain picked.

A team of c grade players and youth, with maybe one or two talents.

A coach who was pretty much sacked this season.

Possibly the worst captain in the AFL, who plays for a team that nearly imploded.

Who cares if we get thrashed, hopefully this is the end of it.

Has become nothing more than an AFL marketing exercise.

 

[Duggie]

It's all well and good to say, oh who cares about this stupid exhibition, and I dont really care either, but c'mon, it's pretty embarassing to get flogged by a bunch of farmers in our own country.

We are representing Australia after all. I normally wouldn't care, if we had of lost by ten points, I wouldnt care. But to flogged, just pisses me off. Especially considering I can hear that stupid irish chant coming from the pub across the road.

If this series is going to continue then we need to select a team as if we actually give a shit, otherwise just not bother at all. It's embarassing that we get flogged by a bunch of amateurs, and it's embarassing that we got flogged even though our players, looking a lot like a bunch of yobbo local footballers, probably earn more than Ireland itself.

Full respect to Ireland, they're super talented and awesome footballers, but the machine that is AFL should be able to produce better then that. It's just embarassing. You've ruined any argument I might have with an Irishmen down the pub now about the two sports.

The Irish were even more physical.

mate dont be fooled by the amateur tag, there amateur in name only.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

i doubt anyone in forcing the AFL to keep it going if they didnt want to. send a petition to them.

The AFL want the series to continue because it gives the AFL exposure in Ireland and allows the admin/clubs to reach out and build relations with a league that clubs seem more and more intent to poach players from.

Again, nothing more than a glorified marketing exercise.

 

[policegetthatman]

Did anyone else feel weak at the knees when Dwayne Russel's voice randomly come on during half time?

 

[Tiff]

some comments on here are really laughable..
only a small number of people in each country care about the IR(me one of them). Its 2 games, nothing more, it is what it is. We watch it and then we forget about it. Watch it or dont watch it, no one is forcing people. I also watch AFL every week by the way so im not as biased as some.

It means nothing to me really but it's bragging rights. It's some firepower to throw at the hoards of Irish that seem to be everywhere I look lately.

I seem to have grown this disdain for you. I think it's the Air Max's

 

[DivideandMultiply]

Did anyone else feel weak at the knees when Dwayne Russel's voice randomly come on during half time?

I missed this.

 

[The Biff]

I think it is usually the other way around.

Like when the Irish couldn't handle the physicality and the series was nearly scrapped, or like last year when we played in a way the Irish wanted but with a semi decent team. Irish media and fans bawing about the series being past its use by date and boring.

Dare I say, liars, whingers and hypocrites.

Most here have wanted the series scrapped for a looooooong time.

I disagree. Last year, most Irish fans were unhappy because our team were outshone by Australia at some of the basic skills that ARE part of our own game, like kicking the ball straight. We lost last year because we didn't play to our own strengths, and Australia showed that using the round ball was no longer an impediment to playing good footy.

That's why I said that this year, Ireland decided to try harder, and it showed. Australia seem to have decided to forget what they've learned over the past few years, and also lost a bit of the passion that we thought you were famous for. That performance needs a bit more "Crocodile Dundee" and a bit less "Dame Edna".

 

[Tiff]

And this is the BS the AFL admin were probably hoping for.

Look at the squad, coach and captain picked.

A team of c grade players and youth, with maybe one or two talents.

A coach who was pretty much sacked this season.

Possibly the worst captain in the AFL, who plays for a team that nearly imploded.

Who cares if we get thrashed, hopefully this is the end of it.

Has become nothing more than an AFL marketing exercise.

You're right.

I've just got a chip on my shoulder. I've unwillingly become involved with a lot of Irish through my girlfriend and they really shit me.

 

[footballfreak]

The best players for the Irish were the AFL players. With a support crew of solid irish international players. Our advantage of being physical doesn't work because the Irish have adapted and are used to the pressure. Being in the AFL system helped them immensely.

Disappointing to see that none of the indigenous boys were chosen. The game is tailor made for them.

 

[headache1]

It means nothing to me really but it's bragging rights. It's some firepower to throw at the hoards of Irish that seem to be everywhere I look lately.

I seem to have grown this disdain for you. I think it's the Air Max's

If you're talking 87's, 90's, 95's, BW's or Light's, then we're gonna have problems.

 

[Tiff]

If you're talking 87's, 90's, 95's, BW's or Light's, then we're gonna have problems.

I was going to say at least they're better than dunlop volley's but then I saw my DV's on the floor and thought, nah, they're totally awesome.

 

[DivideandMultiply]

The best players for the Irish were the AFL players. With a support crew of solid irish international players. Our advantage of being physical doesn't work because the Irish have adapted and are used to the pressure. Being in the AFL system helped them immensely.

Disappointing to see that none of the indigenous boys were chosen. The game is tailor made for them.

The team picked was a joke.

As were the preparations in comparison to the Irish.

What 1 or 2 half days training?

Guys like Nahas and King who would not get a game at most AFL clubs.

A captain whose team is famous for poor leadership and onfield commitment or grit this season.

If the Irish win in a canter, great. Hopefully the few fans the series has over there are happy and it can finally be canned (but it won't).

 

[headache1]

I was going to say at least they're better than dunlop volley's but then I saw my DV's on the floor and thought, nah, they're totally awesome.

So, how many pairs of skinny jeans do you own?