AFL chiefs clarify recruitment aims

AFL CHIEFS have officially stated that “first-choice players” from Gaelic football and hurling should be specifically targeted for recruitment for Australian Rules.

In the week that the GAA confirmed former Derry player Anthony Tohill as manager of the Ireland team for the Compromise Rules, it has emerged that AFL chief Andrew Demetriou wrote a letter to Aussie Rules players, coaches and administrators about players from other codes joining the AFL.

Though Demetriou was referring specifically to the case of rugby league stars Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau playing Aussie Rules, he also referred by name to GAA players who have opted for the oval ball down under.