World Footy News

A report in the Irish Times quotes GAA media relations officer, Feargal McGill saying whilst discussions on the future of the International Rules series between the GAA and AFL in October were "frank and cordial", they "are still set to resume...(and) nothing definite has been planned for the next couple of weeks, and it looks like it will be February before anything is set."

The article goes on to note that the AFL schedule this year will be full enough with the 150th anniversary events, and the GAA is not rushed about the series. The GAA has TV rights negotiations it is preoccupied with, which although far less lucrative than the AFL's TV rights are far more lucrative than the amateur sports association has been used to.

So it may be a while before the hybrid game returns. That may be a relief for many GAA and AFL fans who are not enamoured with the hybrid code. But the TV ratings and crowd figures had shown enough fans did like the series for it to be a commercial success and many players attested to enjoying and relishing playing for their country. Even so a break will let the bad blood engendered in the on field fights to settle, and given recent events in the cricket perhaps be a relief to some who think Australia needs to find a better balance between its proud win at all costs attitude and a more generous sporting spirit. Though of course that last issue is a moot point.

For readers of this website who mainly want to see Australian Football become a more international game, the hybrid code can appear an unwelcome distraction. That may be the case. However this author still thinks International Rules can find a place that is synergistic with that aim.

As the number of Irishmen playing in the AFL continues to increase (Tadgh Kennelly has suggested at least 20 could grace AFL lists), these players may wish to represent their home country in the way Jim Stynes and Kennelly have been proud to do in the past. To do that purely in Australian Football would lead to a more lop-sided result than the last International Rules Test in Dublin and also be unlikely to garner as much Irish support as the hybrid code with its obvious similarities to Gaelic Football. Furthermore a dozen or so Irish with tackling and marking skills and professional fitness levels honed in the AFL would give the Irish team a much more competitive edge. It may also bring a better cultural balance to the series, as the Irish would be less thrown physically and psychologically by the tackling.

However International Rules can have a role beyond providing international outlet for the AFL and GAA at the elite level, in aiding growth for both codes internationally, particularly in the UK and North America. The GAA and AFL have said as much in the past (as has this WFN writer) with talk of playing in New York or London.

The reasoning is that not only is Australian Football growing as an international sport albeit from its low base, but so is Gaelic Football. Whilst Australian Football is ahead of Gaelic Football in terms of International Cup organisation, the Irish game is quite a way ahead of Aussie Rules in junior development in mainland Britain, particularly the English midlands, and the USA. Ultimately the hybrid as elite international sport played to packed grounds in New York or London of Aussie and Irish expats and other locals could boost both Gaelic football and Australian Football leagues in both the USA and Britain.

Getting that whole promotion of the parent codes balance right as well as getting the balance of the rules and spirit of the game on the pitch is no easy matter. Test matches in London or New York would have more impact as promotional value with stronger, more prominent local NAGAA, USAFL, AFL Britain/ARUK and BritishGAA organisations - for which they all seem to be on track as the years pass. The current break in proceedings could be a lengthy one, but perhaps the environment in terms of more Irish AFL players and promotional opportunities in London or New York will be more conducive in a few years too.