Players on both sides see future for series

GAELIC GAMES/International Rules News:The future life of the International Rules series suddenly appears a lot healthier following yesterday's joint statement from the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and their counterparts, the Australian Football League Players Association (AFLPA).

They have voiced their "collective support for a continuation of the International Rules series", which suggests strong player support and enthusiasm from both countries two weeks before the GAA begin formal discussions on the future of the series.

According to the GPA, the level of Irish player support for the continuation of the series is "overwhelming positive", while the AFLPA claim Australian players feel the series is "highly valued by all who have had the chance to participate".

The GPA and the AFLPA report to have formally consulted players and respective team captains, Ireland's Kieran McGeeney and Australian co-captains Barry Hall and Dustin Fletcher, in the weeks since the completion of the 2006 series earlier this month - which included yet further scenes of violent play and overall indiscipline to add to last year's debacle in Australia.

Both claim, however, there's a clear understanding among players from both codes that the future success of the series will be dependent upon effective implementation of refereeing and disciplinary procedures.

"In the immediate aftermath of the series I made my own position clear," said GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell, "that the standard of refereeing and application of sanctions were inadequate and largely to blame for the trouble. Having consulted with players in the interim, it is clear they would concur with this analysis.

"Despite protestations and widespread condemnation from various quarters, the appetite for the International Rules series among players remains overwhelmingly positive."

"It is time for the players to add a formal, measured and relevant voice to this debate, and that voice is one of support for a series that will, given the opportunity and an appropriate disciplinary framework, consolidate its position as a valid and valuable experience for both codes."

There were similarly strong words of support from Farrell's counterpart in the AFL, Brendon Gale, the chief executive of the AFLPA: "AFL players strongly support the continuation of the International Rules series," he started. "The series provides a unique opportunity for AFL players to represent their country in the international sporting arena and this is something which is highly valued by all who have had the chance to participate . . .

"The hybrid game has the potential to provide a significant celebration of the respective codes and the players involved. Recent attendances at games played in Ireland and Australia indicate there is public support for the series and as such, we believe it is incumbent on players, officials and administrators to work together to provide a series which delivers a safe, competitive, and appealing brand of unique football."

It remains to be seen how influential these comments will be at next month's Central Council meeting, set for December 8th and 9th, where the GAA will for the first time air some collective views in a formal way. GAA president Nickey Brennan didn't delay in giving his view on the series' future in the days after the second Test, stating that in his opinion it was effectively over "unless somebody can convince us otherwise".

He added, however, "We'll consult with Seán Boylan and his backroom team, with the players, and we'll get an opinion from them, and bring those views to management committee and Central Council . . . I'm well able to stand up and make my feelings known within the confines of a meeting room, and I will do that. There are plenty other people that will express an opinion as well. But it's not hard to walk away if what happened in the first quarter of an hour on Sunday is being dished up. It's very easy to walk away. . ."

So far the message coming from Australia has also been mixed, with their coach Kevin Sheedy suggesting earlier this week he was done with the series and couldn't see himself continuing in the position for next year.

And yet ALF chief executive Andrew Demetriou has since added that the Australians would consider sacrificing the tackle from the hybrid game if that would help to save the series.

"One of the fundamental things we've learnt is, it is true that there is a cultural difference between the games we play and the games they (the GAA) play. We have tackling, and tackles occur. Their reaction to tackles is completely different than our players' reactions to tackles. They react in a way that is not pleasant because they don't like tackles, and you understand that.

"That's part of the problem. Tackling (our way) is anathema to the way the Irish play and that's part of the problem and almost a catalyst for some of the things than happened. We've all got to work together to find out ways we can continue this series. We all know the first 10 minutes of the second game was unacceptable. The AFL and the GAA were as one on that. It was a terrible advertisement for that particular game and that series."