Irish Series Shows AFL’s Ambition: McLachlan

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Irish Series Shows AFL’s Ambition: McLachlan

Authored by: Harley Vague
on Tuesday, November 24 2015 @ 12:51 am ACDT

I believe the AFL have stated their desires that being multiple tests including N.Y. As as a person who generally enjoys the IR series I can see the rationale of leverage off of of these games. However, when the GAA disagree, any leverage is lost. It was hard gaining momentum with only two tests let alone the current single test. The only organised game of AR was gazetted for London. Surely a clinic in N.Y. and Dublin would have been the minimum especially when the N.Y. GAA hit out was cancelled.
When the ARFLI burst onto the scene they soon became the number one AR side outside of Australia because their of players experience with GAA but that hasn't translated into much growth.
IMO (and I must stress that) it seems the Irish want to restrict the impact of these games to just entertainment value and remove any potential for the AFL to leverage any growth of Australian Football.
If you take a good look at the product that is IR then you will not find any common AR scenarios.
It is impossible to kick the round ball long and accurately thus reducing the game to chipping.
It is diffifult to judge the flight of the round and mark it.
Handballing has a different feel and is restricted.
Running is grealy restricted as well as posession.
There is virtualy no rucking, no place for ruckmen and yet the team is selected from the best players of AR not necessarily the best attributes for GAA.
And let's face it, it is a GAA field with GAA positions down to a goal keeper.
There are restrictions on picking up the ball, tackling and with shepherding penalised.
The series may have the right mix to achieve a competitive result and it's a showcase of top footballers but it is in need of an angle.
It needs to be a clash of cultures, an arm wrestle and a series with a climax not just a piece of entertainment.

Irish Series Shows AFL’s Ambition: McLachlan

Authored by: Cam Homes
on Tuesday, November 24 2015 @ 01:10 pm ACDT

Have to agree with most of what you say, Harley.

The IR games at least gives the best AR players in Australia a chance to play for their country (even tho not in footy) as happens in all other sports/codes across the world.

Obviously the pro v amatuer standard 'chasm' doesn't allow International matches by Australia other than at AIS/AFL - Secondary Schools age-group level, which is why I believe the Easter Series style age matches must be restarted and even expanded (why not a 'tour' to Canada & USA) if the standard of AR's outside Australia is going to be lifted at all.

Look at how the margin between the teams in the 3 or 4 Easter series matches played so far narrowed each time. Does suggest that the standard in Europe was improving as more players were exposed to the elite juniors from Aussie.

Certainly the IR matches will not do anything to lift the standard of play elsewhere where Aussie rules is played, and as you say Harley even in Ireland.

Irish Series Shows AFL’s Ambition: McLachlan

Authored by: Harley Vague
on Tuesday, November 24 2015 @ 03:22 pm ACDT

I believe the "chasm" has been largely bridged by the increasing "professional" approach of the GAA, the selection of AA players and the timing of the game at the end of the only AFL break. Typically the Aussies only manage to come home late in the game with superior endurance. With the GAA vs AFL IRS we have a structure that is popular based on the appearance of national players. The cluttered nature of the game is largely overlooked. Any move away from high profile players would require building support for the concept itself. In that regard IMO there is a need to strip the game of it's clutter to a simpler game. Such a game would have social potential and be possibly good for development but just like 9-a-side is great for development it would be counter-productive at AIS level to play games that encourage bad habits.

Irish Series Shows AFL’s Ambition: McLachlan

Authored by: Cam Homes
on Wednesday, November 25 2015 @ 02:28 pm ACDT

The player standard "chasm" is between the best/elite professional Australian players versus the best amatuer players that the other nations put on the park at the International Cup, the European Championships and other 'internationals' eg. USA v Canada or Denmark v Sweden etc. Sorry to have led you astray there a bit, Harley, my ramblings are not as lucid as they used to be. :-)

Inter Rules is doing nothing to close/bridge that gap/chasm/Grand Canyon, but I do believe that the previously metioned 'Easter Series' between the AFL/AIS age teams versus European Legion and Titans was doing so, even if very slowly. As has the age-group level and Boomerang 'tours' to South Africa have helped lift the playing standard in South Africa over time.

Brett questioned the use of the terms 'inspirational and ambitious' as used by Gillon McLachlan in reference to the AFL (world ruling body)and AFL (the code Aussie Rules) "we want in our game". I think McLachlan also mentioned that Irish Inter Rules matches are "cost neutral".

I think if the AFL (wrb) truly wants to be seen as 'ambitious and inspirational' it would better off restarting the "Easter Series" tours and even expanding that age-group concept even tho this would not be "cost neutral". I also have this sneaking suspicion that is what Brett had in mind. :-)

x%/$#&##*& woops!! Brett might have just shot me down in flames :-)

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