Fair points there. Unfortunately, they televised the games where I am too late at night for me to see them this year… so I really don’t feel overly qualified to comment on the dangerous tackles. They don’t normally do overly dangerous tackles over here… but occasionally a bit sling will come out or similar (from what i can determine from the press – this may have been what happened)… although, the “head over the ball – first to it” mentality our players have, has seen some serious neck injuries this year.

The point I agree with the most is the “friendly” game. The press sorta blows it up here as more of “Aus v Ireland” rather than a friendly, but I’m sure from memory that was the game’s origins, and also to promote both codes a little… so you’ve hit the nail on the head there.

love and kisses,
nancy.

True, but our problem is not with hard tackling, it’s with dangerous tackling. Our lads are hardy enough, they can take the hard tackles but being knocked unconscious with a dangerous challenge is another thing altogether.

“And I like the blend of both sports as a mix”

I thought it was boring as fuck this year though, It was played at a very slow pace and I had to force myself to sit through it, especially the first game in Galway. I won’t miss it to be honest.

“seriously, you put a bunch of competitive blokes on a football field and tell them to go for a win.. then you’re going to get some physicality”

The games have never been played in a spirit of friendship like they should. Even before the game players are riled up, their focus seems to be less on playing a good exhibition game and more on hurting the opposition. I don’t get the point of that to be honest.

The problem here is the press. If that was a headbutt then my name’s nancy – that was no “liverpool kiss” – infact, most over here laughed at how lame it was as a physical intimidation attempt. That’s the thing with AFL – they are soooo ticky, touchwood on all these little things.. but someone having their season ended by a bone-crunching hip’n'shoulder is fine because it’s fair within the rules to bump.

Thanks for this post mate… this was probably the fairest writing on the topic I’ve seen online.

At the end of the day they are both contact sports… what you guys play as normal over there (in terms of contact) is different to what we play as normal and vice-versa. I mean our guys get rewarded with free-kicks and pats on the back from the coach for laying effective tackles. And it only stands to reason, given the goal of a “Tackle”, that the harder the hit (so long as it is legal) the more “effective” it will be.

I love the international series.. it adds something new and exciting to watch when the home AFL season is over and we’re stuck with nothing after weeks and weeks of games… And I like the blend of both sports as a mix. I’d be incredibly disappointed to see the series end due to a bit of hot-blooded competitive-ness.

Anything I’ve seen in the IR series is less hardcore than what we see every weekend here on tele… I mean… seriously, you put a bunch of competitive blokes on a football field and tell them to go for a win.. then you’re going to get some physicality… I’d hate to see either of our sports progress to the “Oscar-award-winning-diving” of soccer….

Don’t get me wrong.. I do not condone cheap shots or full on brawls on the field.. but surely, as men, the irish and the aussies can both handle some shoving, tackles and bumps… It is a blending of BOTH sports – and well hard tackling is very, very much a part of our sport… and no one here wants that to change…. I mean watching a fantastic chase and effective tackle is pure excitement!!

It was a clear pre planned tactic by the Australian team to start the game violently and unsettle the Irish.
Which they did and it worked for them. I seen with my own eyes the Australians starting every single fight.

“Maybe your players should check out the inside of the gym some time to make the fighting fairer”

that’s great, you know what, if that’s what International Rules means than it really is a stinking pile of f*@king shite.
Beef up for the fight mates.
But its funny how ye wouldn’t carry on like that in the AFL due to the heavy penalties that is received for violent behavior, fair enough a bit of rough an tumble but what was seen on Sunday was only comparable to the UFC.

I REALLY wish the Irish lads had taken the option to forfeit the game after the first quarter, as was offered to them.

“Demon star Brad Green can take an early guilty plea and have his three-match suspension reduced to only one game following his headbutt on Fremantle’s Ryan Crowley”

AFL Website: Mooney to contest headbutt charge

In fairness now, you have your own discipline problems in the AFL, be honest. Part of the problem here seems to be that each side is too quick to blame the other. Perhaps you can examine the conduct of your own players before criticising ours. I’d hope we would do the same.

“can’t some of your blokes whinge!”

we can certainly whinge. I think the perception has always been that it’s the Aussies who bring most of the aggression to the game (as evidenced in the tunnel before the game even starts for example). Whether that’s true or not is debatable.

“I think most people here is Australia think the rules are in your favour as IR uses your ball and your pitch”

Well the round ball is easier to adapt to than the oval. In fairness is there a young fella in Australia who has never kicked a round ball? As for the pitch it’s a practical issue.
One thing that falls in your favour is the tackling. Your players are well used to tough tackling, ours aren’t. It’s illegal in Gaelic Football to tackle the player.
Plus your players are pros so their physical conditioning is much better. Our lads only train after a hard day’s work.

“The Aussies can’t be blamed for finishing what you guys start.”

True, but the Aussies can be blamed for what they start. Did you watch the games last year for example?

Geez, can’t some of your blokes whinge!

Your views on the rules are interesting. I think most people here is Australia think the rules are in your favour as IR uses your ball and your pitch. Try kicking and catching an AFL footy some time.

I wish they could get rid of the violence as well. Maybe your players should check out the inside of the gym some time to make the fighting fairer! The Aussies can’t be blamed for finishing what you guys start. We don’t head butt over here!

I completely disagree with the Whinging you’re painting every single GAA player as a violent thug here, did you watch Marc Ó Sé yesterday, the man was being beating black & blue but never raised his fists.
The fact is that it was an embarrassment of a game has very little skill, is slow moving, start stop etc because of the violence and ” marks”.

Just to note I was also a big fan of the series, but my mind was made up about it after 5 mins of that shite yesterday.