International Rules 2010/2011

[Jinxy]

Some distorted views on the AFL here.

Kicking, gouging, ankle tackles or taps, dropping knees in tackles have, since the inception of AFL, been considered poor form in AFL and will result in long suspensions.

The shirt front has virtually been eliminated from AFL - if your eyes are not on the ball and you shirtfront a player expect 3-4 weeks off.

They're considered poor form in the GAA as well.

[Archie Mitchell]

Did anyone see the classic International Rules on TG4 yesterday? Not sure what year it was, but Dermot Mc Nicholl was playing and he was fantastic. The Australians seem to have learned a bit since then as they were awful at kicking the round ball.

Seen most of it yesterday. It was the 2nd test in 1984 I think. Some rough "tackles" in that game. Did you see the Aussie goalkeepers challenge for the penalty?

[paco]

No didn't see all of it Archie. The best bit I seen was the goal Dermot Mc Nicholl scored which was ruled out for some reason, it was class. He must have ran 40 or 50 yards and rifled it past the keeper, I think the keeper knew the whistle had gone but it was still some effort. Must check Youtube, bound to be some clips of it and other games from around that time.

[The Biff]

I saw most of that on TV the other night and I was probably at that game too in Croker, as I went to most of those games back then.  I can tell you the athmosphere in Croker was only brilliant, having a bigger crowd than the old Landsdowne or Dalymount could hold, and the loudest "Ireland Ireland" chant ever heard in decades.

What struck me watching it again was how "screwed" the Aussies were in the so-called compromise.  The body tackle was obviously not yet allowed, so the game-play was virtually identical to regular Gaelic Football.  The mark was barely used by either team, and the difference really boiled down to Ireland's ability to score goals, and the Aussies fitness to help them finish strongly.  Imho, none of the fights back then were remotely as cynical as the more recent hits on Geraghty & co.  Back then, Australia usually brought their biggest and best players, who were not usually their nastiest.

I'm a big fan of this series.  It's clear a very large number of the players enjoy it and put a lot of effort in.  I will certainly be going along again this year and bringing Junior as well, as he also loves it.

[zoyler]

Biff, was it you posted a fantasticly funny article on Aussie Rules on Bigfooty a number of years ago?

Have you still got it and any chance you'd put  it up here.  It was one of the funniest things I've ever read and the Aussies who could read words of more the five letters loved it as well.

[Jinxy]

I'd forgotten about some of the stuff that used to be on BigFooty. 

[tyroneStatto]

2nd test in the 1986 series is on this sunday at 12.40 pm on tg4. is this the game where they cut the f*ck out of each other or was it the 1st game?

[HeaveHo]

I saw most of that on TV the other night and I was probably at that game too in Croker, as I went to most of those games back then.  I can tell you the athmosphere in Croker was only brilliant, having a bigger crowd than the old Landsdowne or Dalymount could hold, and the loudest "Ireland Ireland" chant ever heard in decades.

What struck me watching it again was how "screwed" the Aussies were in the so-called compromise.  The body tackle was obviously not yet allowed, so the game-play was virtually identical to regular Gaelic Football.  The mark was barely used by either team, and the difference really boiled down to Ireland's ability to score goals, and the Aussies fitness to help them finish strongly.  Imho, none of the fights back then were remotely as cynical as the more recent hits on Geraghty & co. Back then, Australia usually brought their biggest and best players, who were not usually their nastiest.
I'm a big fan of this series.  It's clear a very large number of the players enjoy it and put a lot of effort in.  I will certainly be going along again this year and bringing Junior as well, as he also loves it.

The Aussies used to bring their All Australian team (or as many as where available). The All Australian team was selected based on AFL form. The Australian sides for the last three or so series are now selected for their suitability to the hybrid game. If the All Australian team was to represent Australia you would see 211 cm and 129 kg Aaron Sandilands run around. Although the lad is pretty athletic for a bloke nearly 7' tall he would be useless in that format. All the bigger lads generally don't get picked and the recent teams have largely been full of speedy squibs.

[DennistheMenace]

Yeah like Barry Hall.

[zoyler]

Just watched todays showing - the 2nd 1986 Test - Greg Blaney & Jack O'Shea were absolute stars and there was a mixture of great football and criminal fouling! That lunatic Todd was the Aussie manager so it figures!

[The Biff]

Biff, was it you posted a fantasticly funny article on Aussie Rules on Bigfooty a number of years ago?

Have you still got it and any chance you'd put  it up here.  It was one of the funniest things I've ever read and the Aussies who could read words of more the five letters loved it as well.

I think I remember what you are referring to, because I saved a copy of it somewhere.  But I'm fairly sure it was a composition of Hardy.  I've checked my curent computer but cant seem to find anything like that.  Maybe the man himself has it archived handy. 

[zoyler]

Your right - it was Hardy - please God hes in the land of the living and can put it up here .  I might also look for it on bigfooty

[Jinxy]

It was like shooting fish in a barrel on Bigfooty around the time of the international rules. 

[heffo]

The Irish team were training in Parnell Pk tonight - the weird posts installed & everything - they'll be on overtime pulling them up tonight - U12 Hurling finals on there in the morning

[Orangemac]

Was there a rumour doing the rounds that most of the Kerry players are refusing to take part because of remarks Tohill made on the Sunday game?