Kennelly sees 20 or more countrymen Down Under

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Kennelly sees 20 or more countrymen Down Under

Authored by: Michael Christiansen
on Friday, December 14 2007 @ 08:55 am ACDT

Let's say that within 5 years there's up to 20-30 Irish, and if not just Irish, perhaps the first couple of PNG and Sth African boys. That, along with increased recruitment from QLD, and the increasing focus on NSW using much of the QLD learnings - - surely then, there's a valid argument that an 18 team competition is necessary otherwise we risk dissuading kids from seeking what is often a short term elite level career. One of the best arguments at present for kids to go for an AFL career is the high number of local well paid positions. Broadening the recruitment base devalues this proposition.

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On the international level - it'd be cool to have a true international test. However, a lot of folk keep bagging the International Rules matches and yet forget that they display the truest 'spirit' of Australian Football. That of 'compromise' and 'participation'. Unlike the Rugby/Soccer split and then subsequent Union/League splitting. Australian Football was able to achieve a compromise set of rules for all to play together. When I see those games I see the embodiement of the ideal of doing what needs to be done to have a game, to have a kick and to play together rather than apart. And whilst these games continue, we can take pride that we give the GAA boys a national rep focus and a potential professional career path - that for now, doesn't kill off the local game - but, rather, and I think the GAA can sometimes be a little negative on this point - the players moving to the AFL will actually be the best advertisement for kids in Ireland taking up Gaelic rather than soccer for example. It would be different if the ARFLI were growing at a rapid rate at the expense of the GAA - but clearly this is not the case.
So - perhaps for this relationship to continue in a healthy manner, a semi-pro GAA with players willing to make the commitment heading to Australia, and compromise rules test matches to celebrate the even greater inter-relationship. Perhaps that's the better path. It's not all about us (Aust Footy).

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