AFL chief: There is a will and a want on both sides to explore International Rules return

There has been rising speculation in Australia that a comeback is on the cards for International Rules. 

The last International Rules series to be played was in 2017 when Australia won both tests against Ireland. The games were played in Adelaide and Perth. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has said they are continuing to explore a return for the International Rules Series against Ireland as discussions continue with the GAA.

The series has not occurred since 2017 but there has been rising speculation in Australia that a comeback is on the cards. There were reports last year that the league was exploring the possibility of a women’s game between Australia and Ireland to be played in Adelaide during the ‘Gather Round’.

Speaking this week to AFL.com, CEO Dillon confirmed they met with GAA president Jarlath Burns to discuss the possibility of reviving the fixture.

“We had meetings with the GAA when they were actually on in Australia for Grand Final week last year, really fruitful discussions with them in person. Since that time, our footy department has been liaising with the GAA about International Rules and how that might work.

“Again, it is looking at the calendars of our competition and the GAA competition and how they can be put together to find a window, if possible, for that game to be played.

“There is absolutely a will and a want on both sides to explore that and see if we can revive it. Ultimately, bringing the best of our competition together is something I know the players in the past have really enjoyed.” 

Dillon acknowledged that the GAA calendar had changed. Previous president Larry McCarthy had poured cold water on the idea, labelling it “off the table for the foreseeable future,” because of the split-season.

However, Burns visited last year and met with current Irish AFL players as well as the league during his trip.

“I think the opportunity for our best players to come together and represent their county, represent these competitions, I think it is a gap we have got at the moment,” said Dillon.

“We are hoping to fill that in a way that is meaningful and where the players buy into it and our clubs buy into it, if that happens we know the fans will buy into it.” 

Elsewhere, Geelong have confirmed Kerry’s Cillian Burke will remain sidelined for the foreseeable. The Milltown-Castlemaine club player became the club’s latest Irish signing last October, joining Kerry’s Mark O’Connor and former Mayo star Oisín Mullin.

Burke is yet to feature and the club have set his time out as ‘indefinite.’ 

 “Cillian arrived at the Club last year with a pre-existing and known cartilage injury in his left knee,” said Geelong in a health update.

“We are taking a conservative and long-term approach to ensuring his body is ready to withstand the rigours of AFL football. He is a chance to feature in the second half of the season.”