By Micil Glennon
Australia v Ireland, Paterson Stadium, Perth, 9.45am
It’s that time of year again. The almost perennial discussion about the future of the International Rules series arrives. You’d almost forget there was a game on at all.
The concept is noble, the theory is terrific, but in practice, especially with the football a sideshow to violence at times, and the lip service paid by the Australians recently, the hybrid sport can be a major let-down.
So once again we find ourselves in the last-chance saloon. The game is ‘On its knees’, ‘Interest is dwindling’, and 'It's time to put it out of its misery’, they say.
And even the staunchest defenders of the code have had precious little material to work with over the last few years.
In 2011 Ireland coasted to victory in Australia when the hosts put up little resistance over the two Tests, figuring that if they couldn't tackle on their own terms then they wouldn't bother at all.
But last year’s renewal was a total farce. Selecting an all-indigenous panel to represent Australia - on the basis that being the first all-native representative team to tour since a cricket team in 1868 might instil extra pride - turned out to be a gimmick.
The visitors fell to an embarrassing 101-point aggregate loss and it was more of an insult to the game than anything else.
That’s why it’s more vital than ever that today's one-off game is competitive.
While the calibre of this year’s team is not in doubt – all have been All Australian (equivalent to All-Star) at some stage – the question concerns commitment. As they start their pre-season, how much are these professionals prepared to risk for what is essentially an exhibition match?
Of course, they make all the right noises. On the AFL website, Port Adelaide’s Robbie Gray says they are looking to make amends for the last two series and get a good result.
Skipper Joel Selwood of Geelong is incredibly honoured and says “Bring on Saturday night”. But the talk has always been there, the walk is a different story.
Hopefully, the trimming received last year and the paltry effort before that will shake the Aussies up and inspire them to produce a performance of note.
Thirty-six-year-old Brent Harvey of North Melbourne is the most experienced of the home squad, holding nine caps, while their panel total stands at 42 Tests compared to 67 for Ireland.
Eight of Ireland’s 25-man panel have never played before compared to 12 Aussies who will make their debuts.
Donegal’s Michael Murphy leads the Irish team with Sean Cavanagh and Colm Begley providing plenty of IR experience.
The continuation of Paul Earley as manager also helps Ireland, giving them much more of a settled team feel.
New rules
Goalkeepers are now required to kick out over the 45m line after every over, behind and wide; the number of consecutive handballs (handpasses) teams are allowed will be increased from four to six; interchange rotations (substitutions) will be increased from ten to 15 a quarter, and a mark will no longer be paid from a backwards kick.
The addition of new rules will hopefully even things up in a game in which the advantage has always been with the Gaelic footballers.
Is Aussie interest waning?
I did a small straw poll among some Australian friends and got mixed results. One, who is more of a soccer fan, knew it was on, but not when and won’t watch it.
Another, who’s a keen AFL fan and played semi-pro, declined a free ticket as it is the middle of cricket and fishing season. He predicts the series will “Die a painful death, especially if the Irish belt us again.”
A Melbourne-based mate says the quality of the squad has meant an increased level of interest, but as it’s the off-season there’s nothing else to talk about in that city.
This morning’s game is set to be a sell-out - 43,500 or thereabouts. For the future of the series it has to be a close encounter. Anything else would surely turn off even the most hardcore of fans.
Prediction: It's hard to see the Aussies adapting quickly enough in a one-off Test. Ireland to win.
Ireland: Colm Begley (Laois), Colm Boyle (Mayo), Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone), Cathal Cregg (Roscommon), Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone), Finian Hanley (Galway), Pearse Hanley (Brisbane Lions), Darren Hughes (Monaghan), Lee Keegan (Mayo), James McCarthy (Dublin), Ciaran McDonald (Tipperary), Neil McGee (Donegal), Chrissy McKaigue (Derry), Kevin McKernan (Down), Kevin McLoughlin (Mayo), Conor McManus (Monaghan), David Moran (Kerry), Niall Morgan (Tyrone), Ross Munnelly (Laois), Michael Murphy (Donegal) (captain), Colm O’Neill (Cork), Pádraig O’Neill (Kildare), Paddy O’Rourke (Meath), Aidan O’Shea (Mayo), Aidan Walsh (Cork) (vice-captain).
Australia: Grant Birchall (Hawthorn), Travis Boak (Port Adelaide), Luke Breust (Hawthorn), Patrick Dangerfield (Adelaide), Duston Fletcher (Essendon), Brendan Goddard (Essendon), Robbie Gray (Port Adelaide), Brent Harvey (North Melbourne), Luke Hodge (Hawthorn), Kieren Jack (Sydney Swans), Steve Johnson (Geelong), Jarrad McVeigh (Sydney Swans), Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn), Leigh Montagna (St Kilda), Nic Naitanui (West Coast), Nick Riewoldt (St Kilda), Tom Rockliff (Brisbane Lions), Joel Selwood (Geelong) (capt), Brodie Smith (Adelaide), Nick Smith (Sydney Swans), Harry Taylor (Geelong), Jobe Watson (Essendon), Chad Wingard (Port Adelaide).
