World Footy News

The International Rules series between Ireland and Australia has seen some experimentation with rules from the opposing code or the hybrid code back into the parent codes. Several of the experimental rules in the AFL's pre-season Wizard Cup over the years have reflected this. Gaelic football is also experimenting, and the current National Football League season has incorporated a number of new rules including the direct pick up of the ball off the ground (as is in International Rules). Further changes have been discussed, raising the prospect of Gaelic and Australian Rules football moving closer together.

One Gaelic county captain, Barry Mooney, of Offaly wishes to take it further - and bring in Aussie rules style tackling. See story on hoganstand.com.

It would be a major step for Gaelic football to take on board Aussie rules tackling (and not likely to happen any day soon), but with the direct pick up and talk of bringing in the mark eg from the goal-keeper's kick-out, the Irish code appears to be moving ever closer to its Aussie cousin. Just as modern Aussie Rules resembles more the play-on Irish code than it once did.