International rules, not football
November 5th 2006 01:28
News that Mark Stephens (journalist, The Herald Sun) had his flight to Ireland (to cover the International Rules Series) paid for by the AFL is disappointing. The Herald Sun, apparently, is covering his other costs. So why isn’t his employer paying his air fare? He’s not employed by the AFL, is he? The implication is obvious and inescapable. Clearly the AFL is assisting journalists to go to Ireland in the hope that they will write favourable accounts of the floundering International Rules Series. To hear Stephens talk about it provides no assurances to the contrary. On SEN this morning (Melbourne time) Stephens talked about the concept in glowing terms – terms the series does not deserve.
The hybrid game has been roundly criticised in many corners. And it’s hard to believe that Channel Ten takes broadcasting the games seriously. The first game, played at 5am Melbourne time, was not shown live, but replayed the next afternoon at midday. The Brendan Fevola “incident” merely confirms suspicions about the players attitude. They can not expect us to believe they take it seriously if they are spending most of their time in Ireland at the pub. Moreover, consider why State of Origin has fallen by the wayside. It’s because the clubs are terrified of their best players getting injured. That concern doesn’t seem to be hampering the hybrid game at all. Why? Because the players don’t play the game with anything approaching the intensity of State games.
Ultimately, the problem is that it’s International Rules. Not football. When they represent Australia, Rugby League players play Rugby League. Cricketers, cricket. Soccer players play soccer. And footballers play…a hybrid game. It doesn’t really make sense when you stop and think about it. With the Dublin Demons and the Boston Demons among the teams leading the “international” charge, who knows, maybe in decades to come the AFL will be able to pick a side to represent Australia against another country – and actually have them play Australian Rules.
Ultimately, the problem is that it’s International Rules. Not football. When they represent Australia, Rugby League players play Rugby League. Cricketers, cricket. Soccer players play soccer. And footballers play…a hybrid game. It doesn’t really make sense when you stop and think about it. With the Dublin Demons and the Boston Demons among the teams leading the “international” charge, who knows, maybe in decades to come the AFL will be able to pick a side to represent Australia against another country – and actually have them play Australian Rules.
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Comment by TonyK
AFL Central
Just a quick point, Stephens is spelt Stevens.
Cheers
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by TonyK
AFL Central
cheers