International Rules series

[Benny]

As an Irishman can I just say that we're going to give you Aussies another lesson in Footy next October in Dublin! Seriously,as someone who loves Aussie rules every bit as much as its near relation, Gaelic football (and as a beleagured Hawthorn fan!) and as someone who's just discovered this site I just want to say how lucky we Irish and Aussies are to have such great games,unique to our own countries.Also, great site guys! Go on you Hawks!!

 

[jod23]

Whats the actual head to head scoreline between the two nations? Benny you prolly missed a great post about a week ago about how the rules are not changed enough to suit the Aussies. I cant remember who posted it but it was an honest point about us Aussies just playing your game. Either way i dont care we rule Gaelic or not.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

I really enjoy the International Rules games.

I think they are very entertaining and last years games' in front of huge crowds in Australia were exciting and everyone who saw them could immediately appreciate just how much it meant for the boys out on the field to finally have the opportunity to represent their country.

Benny, what really impressed me about the Irishmen was their absolutely blistering pace. I mean the Aussie Rules guys aren't exactly slow but really, we just couldn't get anywhere near you guys last year.

the Australian boys might have been bigger and stronger and maybe played with more agression but the International Game is very fast and the Irishmen's edge in pace is what gives them a crucial advantage.

Of course greater familiarity with the round ball, rectangular field and the goalposts / scoring also gives them an advatntage.

I do remember when these two games have tried to get together in the past, the couple of games from the 1980's were worthwhile exercises. Also I read in a football history book once that Aussie Rules and Gaelic Football played a couple of composite rules games in the 1960's where one half was played with the round ball and the other with the Sherrin.

Good idea perhaps ? The strange ball is the only thing really stopping the Australians from embracing this game I think. Maybe we should do what somebody else suggested yesterday (?) that the games should actually be played with a different ball alltogether, something like a Rugby Union ball maybe, which is fatter than a Sherrin and much heavier than a Gaelic ball, which makes it easier to kick and carry.

Just some ideas about how to make this most unusual but undoubtedly successful game easier for all to play and be watched by all.

 

[dons_r_tops]

the scoreline is
Australia 7 wins
Ireland 8 wins
Drawn tests 1

Figures Since 1984
3 tests 1984
3 tests 1986
3 tests 1987
3 tests 1990
2 tests 1998
2 tests 1999

 

[Bernie]

BSA,

I agree - that International game at the MCG was quite amazing, and, as you say, the pace of the game was breathtaking.

The hard running really results from the consistant bounce of the ball - you can really go hard at it without it making a chump of you.

I loved the Irish tactics of breaking down the centre after chipping it around the back for awhile. Never seen players run so fast.

We were hampered by the fact that we played the All-Australian team , with all those big lugs. Even Richo looked sluggish ! I suggest a few more indigenous blokes would have helped, but it was great to see how good Buckley is ( highlighted how bad the rest of Collingwood is ), and SOS was great as the goalie. The irish were thankful that Robert Harvey wasn't playing as he was BOG the previous games in Ireland.

The thing that was interesting was the press coverage of the tour in Ireland. The Irish Times covered it extensively and the journo was amazed at the crowd interest. As you know Gaelic footy is a sacred thing - it's rules survived the whole English 'invasion' - and so any change is DEEPLY considered. I watched a bit of the All Ireland finals on cable and it was mentioned that, since the Aussies had had some success, a number of clubs had adopted more 'agressive' tactics. The debate was whether to introduce some limited tackling, because that seemed to be popular.

Their major concern however was that the Aussie game was professional and that young Irish lads, seeing the example of Jim Stynes ( who is a TOTAL legend there ), would foresake the amateur game for the bright lights of Australia. Remember that the chief export of Ireland has been people, and they are very sensitive about all this.

In general, it was great to feel that there was an International flavour to our sport ( supporters of other codes are used to this ) and there were other benchmarks and challanges for our players ( other than beating Carey ) and coaches. BTW let's get a better coach than Dermie next time - this is SERIOUS.

 

[dons_r_tops]

to combat the irishmans speed we need about 18 Adam ramanauskas' on the field, man he is fast and ukovic would go well if he was fit, Perhaps we should play a different side to the all-australian side as they just can't cut it for speed but we have plenty of blokes who can!

 

[Rooboy 96]

Sorry Guys I have to bag the international series, I hate any chance of a top line player to get injured, except playing and training for their club. They are paid too much by their clubs to be risked. Leeds wont let Harry Kewell play in exhibition matches for Australia, and I understand why.

 

[Arch]

this was my post that I think your talking about-probably more relevant here- have just C&P'd it.

cheers.

"As for int rules- its a good idea and all but as a spectator its very annoying to watch, as its totally geared towards their game rather than ours. Their pitch, scoring system and ball means our players have to do the majority of the adjustment, and hence we tend to lose most of the games. I reckon they should at least create a new "international rules" specific ball which is more like a round rugby ball- and is a closer hybrid of the round ball and a sherrin. That would mean both teams players having to come to grips with a new kicking style etc rather than one. PLus make the damn ball HEAVIER so its not floating away with the wind all the time."

thats what i reckon.

A.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Thanks Arch - that was the one I was thinking about.

 

[servo]

I entered this post in a different thread but is more suited to this one.

"They should choose the All Australian team as they do now but rename it the AFL Team of the Year.

Selection for the Australian team should be on a team balance basis with a view to winning the games. This would mean no tall lumbering players like Allen or Rehn and more mid size fast players like the Irish select.

Given that we have never been easily beaten by the Irish, if we selected players to suit the game then we should never get beaten. That unfortunately would be detrimental to the ongoing viability and popularity of the series.

That being the case I believe the AFL will continue to play the All Australian team in the International Rules games at least for the foreseeable future."

 

[chev1977]

On behalf of all the guys/girls in this forum welcome !

I am all for the international game I love the International Rules format however I would prefer Aussie Rules to become popularised more so !


I have posted topics before about promting the game more to other countrys before also.

 

[Guest]

I found the International Rules games absolutely fantastic!

When they play over here why don't they play on the full oval instead of the rectangle pitch? (good or bad idea?)
And why do they play a series of only 2 games, I know we give up a lot to accomodate the Irish but a 2 game series now that's very Irish(no offence).

 

[jod23]

Thanks Arch thats the post i was talking about. LOL Happy Hawker.