Hard hits are what fans want, says Walsh

INTERNATIONAL RULES SERIES, SECOND TEST:

It’s a good thing Ireland won because he wasn’t that impressed with what he saw. When he hears of Colm Begley talking about more physical exchanges needed, he can’t but nod his head. Because the hybrid game as it stands is missing something.

“I suppose a small bit more physicality wouldn’t go astray. Make it a bit more exciting for the crowd. Yerra, I suppose looking in at the game — I watched it back myself — it’s probably hard enough to look at times with the kick-passing and stuff so probably something different has to be brought to it.

“But no doubt the Aussies will bring a different game-plan the next day and they’ll try and rough us up a good bit but we expect it anyway so we’re looking forward to it.”

In the past, the possibility of a more physical battle may have deterred Ireland players. Not this conditioned crop, insists Walsh.

“Buddy Franklin is gone home now as well which will be a big physical loss to them. I suppose if they want to mix it we have no problem mixing it with them as well. We’re ready and able for whatever they bring to it.”

As for improving the game as a spectacle, an announcement in Croke Park at lunch-time could reveal changes aimed at jazzing up the series for next year.

Walsh believes the public’s knowledge of the rules is one area which has to be improved. “The biggest thing is people don’t know the rules when they’re watching it. Things are happening and we know why they’re frees or why the referees blows his whistle.”

Anything else, Walsh says, is a case of experimentation. “They’re on about making more throw-ups in the middle of the field for overs or something to get the bigger players involved or to make it a bigger contest around the middle. There’s different options they could do but it’s all trial and error.

“You could try things and see what happens and if they don’t work, they don’t work. But that’s what they’re going to have to do.”

Plenty in around his Kanturk homestead, Walsh reveals, wish he would give this second test a wide berth ahead of next Sunday’s Cork IHC final against Éire Óg. But he can’t. He won’t.

“People at home are saying that they’d prefer not to see me playing in case I got injured or anything.

“We’re all making sacrifices and we want to play for our country. It’s our only chance to play for our country which is a great honour for ourselves and our families”

Walsh knows for a team who only properly kicked a round ball for the first time in practice last Monday week the Australians will be more au fait with it tomorrow. However, he has been left slightly disheartened for a second time in two series that the AFL have failed to put up their best against Ireland.

“You’d like to see the best Aussie players coming over. You like to pit yourself against the best in the AFL.

“They are professional players. I watch the AFL a lot and I see a lot of their best players and their fellas... even Buddy Franklin there the last day, he’s probably one of the best players in the league. He’s just after signing an AUS$10m (€7m) contract and when you’re pitting yourself up against a fella like that you try and compare yourself and try and better him.

“Over in Australia two years ago and this year, Australia haven’t put out the best team they could have. That makes it a small bit disappointing for us. We want to play against the best players so hopefully next year they will get the best players in the league out and we’ll see what happens then.”