International Rules Series hinges on ‘Australian attitude change’

THE future of the International Rules Series depends on the Australian Football League adopting a more serious approach to discipline and specifically a changed “attitude” from their team management.

GAA Director-General Liam Mulvihill admitted: “There is so much in the hands of the Australian coach in terms of their attitude — that is the critical element. I found over the years — and especially in the second Test — they tend to lose the run of themselves if it’s all to play for, and discipline isn’t as important an issue then. There has to be a real penalty on the players and indeed on the people in charge of them.”

Mr Mulvihill said of last year’s ill-tempered series: “I don’t blame the players because I am sure they were working to instructions, nor do I blame the match officials, even though their attempts to impose the disciplinary rules were not successful.

“I don’t see the point in blaming anyone, because it is clear that fundamental aspects of the game, and of the attitude of the two organisations towards it, need to be reviewed. The decision not to have a series this year was a wise one as it gives time for this fundamental review of the objectives of the series. The review should happen because the International Rules concept has caught the imagination of the Irish people and the participation in the games has captivated and challenged our Irish players.”

With the two sides “corresponding” since the October Tests, Mr Mulvihill revealed this was the first in-depth analysis of the concept. He believes the compromise game was “loaded” in favour of the Australians.

“The Irish players have far more problems in trying to cope with the interchange, the mark and the tackle. The only major item they (the Australians) have to cope with is the shape of the ball. In terms of your mind when you are on the field, you’re going to kick the ball one way or another. And, because of the way they have extended the amount of running that can be done with the ball, kicking isn’t as important as it was.

“That’s why there is so much hand-passing, which in my opinion has spoiled the game. It has meant the high fielding which was very much a feature of the early games has almost been eliminated. They’re only kicking when it’s a last resort or when it’s within the reach of the goals. And, while some of you (media) say that their kicking is much more accurate than ours, what you have ignored is that 70% of their kicks are taken after a mark.

“So, they are taken unopposed and being taken from in front of goals because they know how to work the ball into the right positions to take a kick.

“Our players, from anywhere inside 50m, even from the sideline, they’ll have a go. You don’t see the Australians doing that. You see them working it in. That’s the whole nature of their game.!”