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Could this be a runner? Are there any Aussie Rules teams in the US?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 18/11/2015 15:09:48    1808287

I would prefer if someone,anyone,would TRY to end this nonsensical,non-sport.I don't have any time for it.Ever since my Dad brought me along to a game in the 80's and we had a good chuckle at Pat Spillane doing anything he could to avoid getting a wallop i thought it was a silly concept.Im nearly sure a sleeveless Spillane covered 100 yards in under 10 seconds with a big tank-like Wallabby hot on his heels.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 18/11/2015 15:59:43    1808298

Agree to a point with cuedrocket. I've only ever watched 3 series - 1984, 1987 & 2005. No matter how much it has been changed, it has not captured thew public's imagination in Ireland or Australia. It has up until recently, seen professional players taking on amateurs with a result of little consequence and the Irish players saying 'we all have to get up for work in the morning'.

It would be good for players to have a chance to represent their country in some way, but this, along with the railway cups seem more of an annoyance than anything else and I wonder would players just rather give time to their clubs at this time of year.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 19/11/2015 10:12:24    1808384

Ditto on that. Hopefully this weekend will be a failure and a poor crowd will attend. Maybe then the top brass will see it for what it is. A half ***** attempt to make two sports which differ greatly and are beloved within their own country, mashup to create a vulgar beast with no appreciable rules and no following. I for one will have more interest in the club games. At least they matter.

jpcampion (Laois) - Posts: 194 - 19/11/2015 10:43:05    1808394

Agreed, pointless in my opinion, professionals versus amateurs, they wonder why only 40,000 are expected in Croker. Same as the shinty to many differences than similarities

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1909 - 19/11/2015 10:50:06    1808395

I am for canning it as well. Lost all interest.

Its the Aussies that need it more as they wish to try and 'globalise' their sport from a business point of view.

What interest it serves Ireland I have no idea. Before with the large crowds it make money....but now??

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 19/11/2015 11:03:17    1808400

82,000 - attended in 2006 I think it was...

Then they changed the rules to make it far less aggressive

That's when numbers dropped off IMO

The edge was a big draw

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 19/11/2015 11:23:44    1808409

I find it ironic that, despite public indifference to the compromise series, Jarlath Burns and his playing rules committee seem intent on changing the rules of Gaelic football to make it more similar to the compromise version. All this talk about a mark and restricted handpassing are changes that would stifle the creativity of football. Leave our rules alone, and stop trying to create a hybrid that few people want.

football first (None) - Posts: 1259 - 19/11/2015 11:26:33    1808411

awk lighten up it's a bit of fun. Fair enough I wouldn't watch these games religiously every year but its nice for some of our elite players to get together and test themselves against professional athletes. Not many people get to represent their country at anything and most players consider it a great honour to do so. Last year Chrissy McKeague managed to race across the world after an important club match just to be involved so it clearly means a lot to the players. Why take that away from them, especially lads from smaller counties who wouldn't usually get to play along side AI and All Star winners.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 19/11/2015 11:29:41    1808412

Terrible to watch, haven't done so in years.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7895 - 19/11/2015 11:41:59    1808417

I see McBrearty is saying that critics are just jealous, that they only criticise because they didn't get to play!

I find that rather funny actually. So many people who think the series is just a jolly, just a pointless excuse for a select few to get a free holiday and spend the GAA's money, and here is Paddy McBrearty confirming that very idea. Confirming that the only benefit from the series is for the select few lucky enough to be invited along for the whole charade.

Its an utter farce of a "competition", hopefully nobody goes on Saturday and we can finally put the series in the bin where it belongs.

Steve (Fermanagh) - Posts: 293 - 19/11/2015 12:25:26    1808424

The edge was a big draw?Prefer Bono meself!

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 19/11/2015 12:38:20    1808430

I met Bono and the Edge walking down Grafton Street yesterday,i said "not you too again!".Sorry lads im going off track here(:

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 19/11/2015 12:57:04    1808437

A good opportunity for amateur players to represent Ireland. As someone said earlier changing the rules to make it less physical took out some of the attraction for supporters.
How terrible is it actually to watch after a championship with boring defensive tactics that only get interesting with ten minutes left? It's a night out for spectators in November and some will probably make a weekend of it and spend a few quid in Dublin. No bad thing.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 19/11/2015 13:28:35    1808451

I'm with you, SaffronDon. I'm mad about it but there have been some interesting contests over the years. I seem to remember a packed Gaelic Grounds in Limerick for one test & the crowd was hopping!

Anyway, noone answered my initial question: is Aussie Rules played in the US?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 19/11/2015 14:23:37    1808468

https://usafl.com/

It is. But looks like they'd be miles behind pro Aussie rulers in terms of fitness, skills, toughness.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 19/11/2015 15:06:37    1808489

Between the Aussie Rules teams in the US & the GAA clubs there you'd surely put together a half decent USA squad?

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 19/11/2015 15:45:21    1808509

Lets be honest everybody watched it to see the fights breaking out, thats what sold it now with players facing bans we as supporters can't be ***** with it as contact is all but gone.

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 705 - 19/11/2015 15:47:20    1808510

They could try and mish mash with the Railway Cup and play it very three years or something. Have 4 Irish provinces and find 4 Australian states and have them play a tournament over two/three weeks or something..the railway cup has lost its appeal and this is losing its appeal so either let them die or market the hell out of them and make them attractive to people..nothing is beyond good marketing..

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 19/11/2015 20:57:32    1808599

exactly right keeper7. Nobody should expect these games to be like feature length films full of drama and entertainment. Quite simply, if you don't like them then don't watch. But to call for these games to be abolished because they don't meet someone's high viewing standards or how dare our lads take a 'free holiday' every two years after sweating buckets all year to be the best they can without asking for a penny in return, is extremely high horsed attitude. It's the least those lads deserve in this era of near professionalism.

As for Aussie Rules in America I don't even think it has the same impact as the GAA. A few colleges take interest almost as an alternative but as for putting a serious team forward for a tri series against us and Australia I think it would be too far fetched.

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 20/11/2015 09:13:17    1808620