AFL Invasion

[DaleCooper]

This is entirely a byproduct of the push of professional preparation within GAA.

When standards get to such a height you will have a larger tranche of people with mindset of going pro, a positive feedback loop.

Trapped under the asymptote of success. You could argue a good problem to have.

[AustinPowers]

So something needed to be done. The AFL laughed at us, but threw the GAA some money and all is good?

The cat is already out  of the bag anyway. Players will continue to be lured to Australia. The GAA might as well make some money  from the series.

While I enjoyed the  series over the years , it  has lost its appeal now. Probably should have  abandoned it for good 

[Armagh18]

So something needed to be done. The AFL laughed at us, but threw the GAA some money and all is good?

The cat is already out  of the bag anyway. Players will continue to be lured to Australia. The GAA might as well make some money  from the series.

While I enjoyed the  series over the years , it  has lost its appeal now. Probably should have  abandoned it for good

When was it last on? Some great battles over the years, Geezer was a f**king animal.

[Baile Brigín 2]

Absolutely nothing.

But Croker were easily bought in the end.

[Rossfan]

You're speaking in riddles man.

[pbat]

I said this back in the Touhy and Hanley days and absolutely more so now, the Irish squad should only included lads playing GAA in Ireland, why reward lads in Australia that are on pro contracts.

[marty34]

I said this back in the Touhy and Hanley days and absolutely more so now, the Irish squad should only included lads playing GAA in Ireland, why reward lads in Australia that are on pro contracts.

I agree. Give the lads who play inter-county here a chance at it. Great opportunity for them. The other GAA lads in Australia are already sorted professionally.

[Wildweasel74]

Not learn their lesson, the compromise rules has proved zero benefit to GAA teams. GAA brass just worried about money has usual. It adds nothing to Gaelic football.

[trueblue1234]

It's a showpiece to highlight the sport a bit internationally (albeit a hybrid version). I'd say any players involved love it and it's a bit of a jolly.
I think people overthink it a bit. If you don't like it personally, don't watch it. But let anyone who likes that international dimension tear away.
It's not going to highlight players to AFL as most are too old for when they want to get them. So as long as it's not costing the GAA anything and there's enough interest, plough away. Each to their own.

[Rossfan]

As Trueblue said.

[Armagh18]

Only concern for me would be the fear of a big player getting injured, I'm sure supporters and managers would be sick if a Clifford/Langan/Conaty/ROD/Kilaptrick etc god forbid got a big injury and be out for the year some of the hits are mental at it.

Other than that it's a novelty and enjoyable day out for fans, a bit of craic and new experience for players, would absolutely love to see the likes of Clifford, Rian O'Neill, Langan etc play on the same team

[Baile Brigín 2]

I'll call it now. One series at home, one away, the Irish team get slaughtered, a few injuries and it gets pulled.

[ClubScene13]

Was it not tame enough in physicality the last time - probably due to the bad publicity from 20 years ago when it was a slaying match

I'd actually have a lot more interest in watching it now than when it was last on, when Conor McKenna went to Oz I started to follow the AFL a lot more, would know a good amount of the Australia team if it was to come back. Couldn't have named one player the last time it was on.

Interestingly around the topic of player recruitment, I seen James O'Donoghue mentioning that with Finbarr Roarty they aren't even going after the traditional recruit, a 6ft 3 or 4 lad with good ball skills. The best player in the sport at the minute (Nick Daicos) is only 6ft and 12.5 stone, so by no means a giant. You could see more of the smaller types getting recruited to go with how well Oisin Mullin has done