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There is a certain inevitability about the leading exponents of your game being paid , then paid more, then much more, then something like 25% of receipts from media and attendances.

This seems to have been the way in most other sports be it baseball (the strike word comes to mind) in America or AFL in Aus.

With games pulling 25 & 30,000 the players eventually compare themselves with other countries and i would ask this question

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Is there anyone on this thread or board who can explain to me how this game, which we all agree is not Gaelic football, helps Gaelic football. Don't tell it is great for the players, if its great for the players, lets have Ireland's gaa team play the EU in a series of Gaelic football matches to meet the players needs. NO EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS HELPS THE GAELIC FOOTBALL AND THE GAELIC ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

Well it does help the spread of both games I guess, but the AFL originally thought it would be a vehicle for THEIR expansionist aims and they instigated the series even way back when it was the Harry Beitzal concept. ( He was an ex broadcaster, VFL Umpire, and entrepreneur who alas ran foul of the L.A.W.  :: )

As it is turning out the GAA may well get more out of it as a promotion than the AFL for the AFL love the dollars it spins and, given that they feel the series is on aknife edge, they may well accept the rule changes to simply be "All the way with the GAA", plus home and away match suspensions.

On the physical side it is a mismatch, not from lack of heart but from lack of full time training.

If the AFL played full GAA rules, including the spirit of the game and with harsh penalties for misdemeanour's, who would begrudge the winners doing a lap of honour.

If the AFL want to play Ireland at the GAA game, go for it.

I'd be a fan of that.

of course the Aristocracy felt that with a combination of their Westyesminister style of government and the game of cricket for the plebs, that all would be well with them primarily and the world in general, at least the bits interested to exploit.

It is the most boreing game on earth.

there was an article in Melb Sun Thursday with Demetriou suggesting that banning the tackle and suspending players from home & away games are options to be considered in a bid to continue the series..

Article on a different matters tells of the AFL receiving their first payment of the $780 MILION for the next 5 years broadcsting rights.