2014 International Rules

bruschi wrote: »

Pretty much every single bit of that post is completely wrong and inaccurate.

bruschi wrote: »

That is some irony! Sweeping statements don't carry weight alright. When I've time I'll respond, and also give thoughts on this years Aussie team.

bruschi wrote: »

incorrect. People rightly remember the 2005 and 2006 series where Kevin Sheedy obviously brought a new game plan to the table which the Aussies hadnt used since the 80's version of the series. What happened then was a disgrace, and it was very very clear he brought a mantra to the players to go out their and physically intimidate the Irish team.

However, prior to this, Australia had some fine wins, when they still only brought some of their star players. In the 2000 series, backboned by All Australian players like James Hird, Brent Harvey (who is actually playing in this series too), Wayne Campbell, Andrew McLeod, Mickey O Loughlin, Mark Ricciuto amongst others, they more than competed and beat an Irish team who tried bring a bigger physical side. Australias pace and athleticism won the series for them.

Again, it was a similar story in 2003, and Australia utilised their smaller players, like Shane Crawford, Lenny Hayes, Brad Johnson, Luke Power, David Wirripanda, Chad Fletcher etc to win the series comfortably enough. They still had a few power players like Barry Hall, but it wasnt their physical prowess like in 205 that won it for them, it was footballing ability.


And even their last win, when the first game was in Limeick, they completely outplayed the Irish in their footballing ability. Adam Goodes was a mile the most talented and best footballer on the field. Again, Australia brought a lot of players known for their pace and skill, not brute strength. They brought a lot of very average players too. But they still dominated both games. And nothing to do with aggression or size or physical domination, it was about speed and footballing ability. They have shown, when they go that route, they can easily match up.

None of the squads ever picked compare anything to the one picked this year though.

I never said they didn't ever beat us on merit, I said the only time they really hammered us is when they battered us physically, apart from that the games have been close.


size and fitness is reducing, more because of their selection, and an improving fitness level of Irish players. They dont pick the big ruckmen or the Barry Hall type key forwards. The int series rules suit fast paced players, and they have adapted to suit that.

True to a point but Irish teams have being getting bigger stronger and fitter so the gap was closing anyway. The last series we had the bigger team due to the reasons you mentioned

Also, Aussie Rules is not at all based about fielding and punting. If anything, its based around possession, and getting the ball into the forward area as quickly as as often as possible. Just because you see some highlight reels of spectacular fielding, doesnt mean the game is based on it. The best teams now have star midfielders who can pass the ball deadly accurately and with speed on the flanks.

Nearly every team sport on the planet is based on possession, its how you maintain possession that defines the games and in Aussie Rules that's punting and fielding whether that be a diving catch at ankle height or climbing up a lads back. You'd swear you were educating me on the game with the highlights reel rubbish. I've seen the game plenty, I know what's involved.



I cant seay I have ever heard of the excuse that the behind posts affect positioning when scoring on the move. Sounds like the biggest cop out ever.

They're a distraction. When you're being tackled and harried and can only momentarily glance at the posts its difficult to determine your position before shooting. All of this is instinct to the average Gaelic footballer



That maybe true, if it werent. The other Gaelic game rules are;
15 players aside (not 18);
a much shorter pitch (130m instead of 160m),
a rectangular pitch (not oval),
goalkeepers,
having to bounce or solo more often than in AFL,
you have to solo or release every 2 bounces,
length of the game is 72 minutes,
whoever knocks the ball over the sideline gives away a sideline kick
45m kicks for defender knocking over his own goal line

Hardly game changing stuff, I'd wager they'd manage bouncing the ball once or twice extra or getting possession from a sideline, or having to play a few mins less.

you look at it from one point of view, but even the rules you think are weighted to suit them arent. You cant have a mark kicking backwards, The shepard is virtually eliminated, the tackle is a watered down version of theirs, their are no stoppages for ruck contests, interchanges are limited.

And no matter what way you look at it, the goalkeeper is a huge advantage for the Irish side.

Still all parts of their game and completely alien to ours. Sports are 90% instinct and when one team has a distinct advantage in this regard it usually decides the game. I don't rate the Aussies very highly because of this. Pros with more instinctual facets to their game should bury us every year but they don't.

As for the GK, he's only involved in about 10% of play at most, the other 90% of the game is where its decided and the Aussies have all the advantage here bar the shape of the ball.



I'd hardly say keen. Its been talked about by some executive types who would fancy another junket every year. And as I'll state in a following post going through their team, this is by far the best team they have ever selected, and far from a heavy gang to pummel us. They are only selecting players who have either been selected as All Australian this year (equivalent to our all stars) or previous AA selected. So they are only playing players who within their own game are star players. That kind of sweeping generalisation as if to say the only way they can win by intimidation is seriously inaccurate.

Another thing I never said, you should brush up on your reading skills. I said if the game is played in NY next year they'd want to pummel us. The Aussies love to show their physical superiority when they get the chance, especially to an international audience.