Tadhg Kennelly is expecting an intense battle when Ireland and Australia renew their rivalry in the International Rules Series over two Tests at the end of October.
The Sydney Swans player is in a good position to assess the merits of both sides ahead of the clashes in Limerick (23 October) and Croke Park (30 October), and expects entertaining fare to be the order of the day rather than any of the 'rough stuff'.
Speaking to RTÉ Sport's Brian Carthy, Kennelly said: 'Authorities from both codes have done their bit to clean up the game. Two years ago down in Australia the clash was very physical, yet the tackling and the hitting was fair, and the intensity level in both matches never dropped.'
With the fear of suspension hanging over players on both sides who don’t play within the rules, thuggish behaviour is hopefully a thing of the past as the series marks its return to Irish shores.
Kennelly favours the new regime: 'Without the sanction, players had free reign to do what ever they wanted and that resulted in some of the disgraceful scenes that blighted the series in the past.'
The Listowel native is keen on the word 'intensity' and is in no doubt that Anthony Tohill’s side will have that in abundance against the Aussies. He added: ‘I am confident that if we’re behind heading into the last 20 minutes of either match that we will have the wherewithal to lift our game and run at the Australians.'
'The game of AFL has become a lot more athletic, with a strong emphasis on running with the ball. The same is now true of gaelic football. I know the traditionalists may not like that, but both codes have evolved to a point where they are now quite similar. This could become a worry for the GAA as more players from Ireland may want to try their luck Down Under.'
Whether an exodus of talent leaves these shores or not, Kennelly is confident that Irish players, now more than ever, will be able to handle the rigours of a professional sport.
AFL is now a lot less physical; players are leaner and can run all day. Nobody will doubt the fitness of gaelic footballers, but with a greater emphasis on physical training, weights etc, they are well equipped to deal with the demands of modern day Aussie Rules.'
