Aussie media calling time

While the future of the International Rules series is still being debated in Ireland, some of Australian’s leading AFL writers have called for an end to the hybrid game following Saturday’s 79-point thrashing in Croke Park.

The game received down-page coverage in publications like the Melbourne Sun and The Australian but others like the Herald Sun’s AFL columnist Jon Ralph feel the idea is now dead.

“No one cares about it, no one watches it, and truth be told, if team management banned drinking in Ireland, no players would consent to be selected,” he wrote.

“It is an indictment on International Rules that late withdrawals and non-interest meant we couldn’t even field a full side, Mark Evans [AFL operations manager] revealing last week that the AFL could only find 20 indigenous players for the 23-man squad.

“Then team management went and allowed 21st man Lance Franklin a three-day fly-in, fly-out cameo, a horrific message for the players supposed to be giving their all for the Australian cause. Continuing discussions about format, venues and series dates mean the series is not officially done, but it is time someone stood up to say what everything is thinking.

“End it now.”

An online poll on the newspaper’s website agreed with 44.78% (446 people) for and end to the spectacle with 29.42% (293) calling for the rules to be tinkered and 25.8% (257) admitting they don’t care.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jon Pierik took a more pragmatic line: “The AFL has said it will attempt to persuade the game’s best players to again take part. If it cannot do this, it’s doubtful whether the GAA will be keen for the series to continue. The Irish have caught up in terms of strength and speed in recent years, with the Australians now after rule modifications to again help them be competitive.”

His take received a massive reaction from AFL fans in the newspaper’s comments section, one reader stating: “Time to end this embarrassing spectacle. That a grossly under-strength Australian side was sent over was just an insult to the Irish. Australian players do not train throughout their careers with a round ball. Round balls feel different and behave differently. Thus the Aussies are already disadvantaged.”

Another said: “I am so embarrassed by the AFL degenerating our great game into this pathetic end-of-season disaster. I wish a big hole would open up around this very backward and amateurish concept.”