I am so glad I held onto my British passport; I’m embarrassed to be an Australian. Did you see that so called “game” of so called “International Rules” that was played between Australia and Ireland earlier this evening? It was a disgrace. It was neither a game, nor was it played according to any rules, at least not by the Aussies. The Irish looked like they were making a fair effort to play the game by the rules and I am so glad they whipped those second rate no-names who masqueraded as representatives of the great game of Australian Rules football and the Australian nation.
I’ve always been a fan of the hybrid code, at least in principle. It is a unique opportunity for the boys from both sides to step up to some level of international competition, where the best of the best play off against the best from the other side of the world. It adds a dimension of national unity and patriotic pride that club games can never generate. It adds a dimension of the unknown, where players are not so familiar with the rules, the ball or their opponents as they are in their own competitions. It tests a whole different set of skills for the coaches as well as for the players.
But in practice, it’s a disaster. For one, the best of the best have been more and more reluctant to turn out, year by year. (I’m only criticising the Aussies here, I have no idea if the Irish have similar problems.) In theory it’s supposed to be the “all Australian” team, but the chosen few won’t or can’t but in any case don’t play. I don’t know what the reason(s) is (are). Just can’t be bothered? Burned out by a long season? Management won’t let them? Insurance problems? Clubs scared of injuries to their star players? Whatever it is, the AFL needs to do more – a lot more – to get their top players out there, if they’re serious about keeping this format alive.
But in truth, the lack of quality through the Aussie team wasn’t the biggest disappointment, it was the brutish, bully-boy aggression at the man, rather than the ball, which turned me off. I watched most of the first game and it was bad enough, but tonight I only got home in time to tune in for the third quarter and turned over before the last.
Aha… The gold has been tested by the fire… The Aussie team needs pies, isn’t it!
Ok, if you have a look the history, the aussie team (the team just retired) won the last series in Ireland.
I watched the whole game live last week, if you have a look the team info, you will notice that most of the Aussie team players were first time players, but most of the irish has been played at least 5 tests.