World Footy News

Australian co-captain and Brisbane Lions veteran, Chris Johnson, made a heart felt apology for his widely condemned actions of the Second Test in Melbourne. However it did not help him escape a 5 week International Test ban that means he cannot play till at least 2008. Rule changes are also likely to decrease the chance of similar incidents.

Johnson became almost public enemy number 1 in Ireland after Irish fans witnessed the head high hits that floored Irishmen Philip Jordan and Matthew Ford. The Irish media and GAA circles were full of cries of condemnation and calls for the series to be abandoned. The Australian embassy in Dublin was reportedly beseiged with complaints.

The penalty and Johnson's apology may go some way to appeasing such anger.

What will probably do more to help the series stay trouble free will be the change in penalty rules. When Johnson was red-carded, coach Kevin Sheedy was able to immediately subsititute him from the 8 player interchange bench. It looks likely that in future a red-carded player will not be replaceable for 20 minutes (ie a full quarter) and the team offended against will get a penalty shot on goal from the 13m line. Whilst the Australian media report these as probable changes, the GAA official website www.gaa.ie reports them as fact, and given the pressure on the GAA in Ireland to prevent future on-field violence of this level, the measures are likely to be introduced.

If those penalties had applied in the Second Test, then Ireland may well have won, given the advantage of the loose player in this fast rebound game. They had been leading at quarter time and lost momentum after the incident. If they had applied Johnson may have thought twice about the reckless tackle in the first place.

The incident has not spelt the end of the International Rules series. Perhaps far from it, one Irish journalist in the Irish Independent believes interest and crowd size will be huge in Dublin next year, the Irish players and fans passionate to defeat Australia. Johnson's statement also reflected a real love of playing for his country in the hybrid code, and that sort of healthy passion should also see the code continue.

However an outright repetition of on-field violence that would not be tolerated in the AFL either, could end the series in its current incarnation. The likely rule changes and Johnson's statement should go a long way to preventing that.

Johnson's statement:

I really want to take this chance to say how sorry I am for my actions in the Second Test.

I am always so proud to wear the Australian jumper and represent my country - it is one of the greatest honours in our game - and you don't know how disappointed I am in myself at what happened.

To Philip Jordan and Mattie Forde, I apologise sincerely to you guys. I'd like to say to them that I can't believe it was me doing those things - it's not the way that I play the game.

I really would love to have the chance to play against them again and prove to them that it was an isolated, temporary lapse, and not one of my character traits.

I would also like to publicly apologise to the Irish coaching staff and the rest of the team - the International Rules series is just a fantastic thing and I've got a heap of respect for the way you guys play and coach for your country.

From what I'm told, the incidents in the Second Test got a lot of coverage in Ireland, and I'd like to say I'm sorry to all the people of Ireland who were offended by my actions.

I'd like them to know that I cherish playing for Australia against Ireland - it has been among the highlights of my career, and that includes having played in three premierships here for the Brisbane Lions.

I'd like them to know that every time I've been asked to play for Australia, I have always jumped at the chance. I'm passionate about the whole concept and I would really love to go and play in Ireland again next year.

I know I have pleaded guilty to the striking charges, but I would dearly love to continue playing International Rules every year.

I have only ever been suspended once for striking in the AFL in my 13-year career and I really can't explain my actions in the Second Test. The first tackle was just clumsy, and the rest was just a reaction on impulse to people coming at me from everywhere. It was all really out of character.

I have played 244 games for the Brisbane Lions and six Tests against Ireland, and my actions in the last Test rank with the lowest point of my career.

I would also like to apologise to my team-mates and coach Kevin Sheedy and the AFL, especially after they gave me such a thrill by naming me co-captain this year.

I can't describe the pride that I felt to be named as a captain - it's such a huge honour just to be playing for your country against such a dedicated and proud bunch of guys from Ireland.

I honestly plead with the tribunal to please take into account all of the good that I have channelled into both my AFL games and the International Rules series over the years when considering my punishment.

I can only say that if I'm given a chance, I will be the best ambassador that I can be for the International Rules series, just like I would like to think I have been outside of those 60 seconds in the Second Test, which I wish I could take back.

Thank you

Chris Johnson